WHEREAS THE GRAND AND BIG WERE ONCE ATTRACTIVE, THE INTIMATE, UNIQUE, AND RELATABLE HAD INCREASINGLY BECOME A FOCAL POINT. PEOPLE WERE INCREASINGLY INTERESTED IN SPACES ADDRESSED TO THE SCALE OF THE BODY AND EXPERIENCES FOSTERING EXCLUSIVITY AND QUALITY.
The type of space that would draw the necessary interested would have to be quite different than what had served them in the past. Whereas the grand and big were once attractive, the intimate, unique, and relatable had increasingly become a focal point. People were increasingly interested in spaces addressed to the scale of the body and experiences fostering exclusivity and quality. This shift presents, in turn, presents the opportunity to consider what one can accomplish at a small scale that cannot be done at a larger scale. It creates an opportunity to work within budgetary and timeframe limitations to achieve something remarkable.
In order to address these limitations, a modular solution was offered. This included the repetition of 5 semi-enclosed pods. Each varies slightly and would be fabricated with the aid of digital fabrication technology. Each pod allows for a unique atmosphere that can adapt to a particular client’s preferences for lighting and music while also providing visual isolation from the other guests in the salon. These pods sit within a neutral white environment that provides a bright backdrop as a stage for the guests. Beyond the series of pods lies a waiting area in lieu of a reception desk, a washing area screened by a curtain of thin Plexiglas rods, and a powder room with custom wall paper.
IN ORDER TO ADDRESS THESE LIMITATIONS, A MODULAR SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THIS INCLUDED THE REPETITION OF 5 SEMI-ENCLOSED PODS. EACH VARIES SLIGHTLY AND WOULD BE FABRICATED WITH THE AID OF DIGITAL FABRICATION TECHNOLOGY. EACH POD ALLOWS FOR A UNIQUE ATMOSPHERE THAT CAN ADAPT TO A PARTICULAR CLIENT’S PREFERENCES FOR LIGHTING AND MUSIC WHILE ALSO PROVIDING VISUAL ISOLATION FROM THE OTHER GUESTS IN THE SALON.
The guest experience, as well as the broader salon, is powered by Alexa through a partnership with Amazon. In addition to controlling lighting and audio, the partnership with Amazon also makes it possible to scan styling products on shelves in the salon, add those products directly to the client’s shopping cart, and then have them delivered later that day. This will be the first cashierless retail establishment that Amazon has created through a partnership with a brand that is not their own. As the first “smart / intelligent salon,” it will set a new standard for the industry and become a prototype for future salons by Ted Gibson and Jason Backe. Each cloud will offer different ambient lighting options like “Everyday Sunshine,” “Moonlight,” and “Indoors,” to view hair color and styles in various light and ambiance settings. Additionally, each individual cloud will feature an Amazon Fire Tablet, Amazon Prime Video application, and Sonos speakers for truly personalized entertainment programming and music options. The salon itself will be entirely voice activated through Amazon Alexa, and a state-of-the-art entertainment lounge will welcome guests instead of a traditional salon waiting area.
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