Project Overview

Within the urban landscape of St Leonards, Éclat is a tranquil oasis of natural beauty. With an expansive range of hair care services and head spa treatments, the space offers clients the opportunity to escape the stresses of everyday life, transporting them into a lush rainforest of relaxation.

Project Commissioner

Éclat

Project Creator

Vie Studio

Project Brief

Meaning ‘brilliance’ in French, Éclat is the epitome of creative hair artistry and innovation. We were tasked to create a space that promoted wellness and rejuvenation, all while upholding the striking quality of their existing store. Seeking a unique and different store experience, we had to consider the layout to accommodate for their three services – cut stations, hair washing areas and, their newest offering, head spas. For the head spa, our client requested enclosed rooms to truly induce a relaxing and premium experience for customers. This calming feel would need to continue throughout the store with a spacious layout. Given the store’s location inside a commercial building, the shopfront necessitated an eye-catching and prominent feature, while simultaneously providing privacy.

We responded directly to the requirements of the brief by looking at the project through a naturalistic lens. Linking the act of self-care with greenery, we explored the concept of a mist-shrouded rainforest, successfully embodying the serenity of the environment.

Project Innovation/Need

The gateway into our sanctuary, the shopfront plays a pivotal role in creating this oasis. We utilised the store’s immense length to create a feature showcasing frosted and coloured green glass bricks. The gradient and slightly opaque blocks resemble the mist within a lush rainforest, a symbol of forthcoming change and transformation. Our usage of this new and internationally sourced material has aided in pushing the boundaries of creativity and propelling the essential evolution of our practice. The shopfront is a mesmerising display, while functionally, allowing patrons privacy inside the store.

Identifying the juxtaposing characteristics of the urban setting and our naturalistic concept, we realised the need to bring in raw materials. We exposed the existing masonry blocks of the building and used an open ceiling design. This interplay of contrasting materials creates conversation and interaction between the two, aiding in uniting these ideas in balanced harmony.

Design Challenge

A core component of the client’s brief, it was essential that the layout felt spacious for patrons. However, with only 86 sqm, our design required careful planning to house the services and equipment, while meeting the requirements for circulation and building constraints.

An additional challenge was our strategy of communicating the concept. Rather than creating a mere imitation of a rainforest with lacklustre placements of hair salon equipment, we wanted to capture the essence of the rainforest through a host of architectural mediums. For their head spa and hair washing stations, a diaphanous curtain divides the space, exuding an otherworldly aura and providing privacy to clients. Wooden accents and avocado marble elements bring a touch of warmth into the space, while reinforcing the ties to nature.

Sustainability

Designing sensitively to the needs of the business, our lighting choices required great deliberation. We chose to work alongside a lighting consultant to consider colour temperature and CRI, as well as finding the most sustainable options. Using this approach, we were able to find a solution that allowed for the best true-to-colour results, while being a more energy-efficient choice with the incorporation of energy-saving LEDs. The final design utilises a centric feature, light boxes and back-lit mirrors to replicate the effect of sunlight rays pouring through a rainforest’s canopy.

Additionally, our material palette was crafted with the intention of longevity, prioritising durable materials such as green marble and micro-cement flooring. The glass blocks used in the shopfront also offer a long-lasting solution, requiring little maintenance for its upkeep.