FUYU Salon by FATHOM: A Zen-Inspired Hair Salon in Hiroshima

Nestled in a narrow alley just steps from Hondori Avenue in Naka Ward, Hiroshima, FUYU Salon redefines urban wellness interiors through innovative spatial design. Renovated by FATHOM, this 33 m² hair salon transforms a retro second-floor salon into a minimalistic, gallery-like space that merges art, furniture, and functionality. Completed in 2021, the project demonstrates how even the smallest urban interiors can achieve a sense of expansive openness and tranquility.

The salon’s name, FUYU, derives from the owner’s first and last name, rather than the literal translation of “winter,” symbolizing a departure from convention and a fresh approach to beauty and space. FATHOM embraced this concept by creating a design that maximizes the perception of space in an area smaller than 10 tsubos (approximately 33 m²). The interior employs a unique method of “floating” functional elements—mirrors, counters, and furniture—away from the walls to make them appear sculptural, almost as art pieces rather than typical architectural fixtures.

Central to the salon is a silkscreen art piece titled Hair, inspired by Kohei Nawa. By aligning the art with the functional elements of the salon, FATHOM creates a spatial dialogue that elevates the salon into an immersive gallery experience. The furniture—benches, reception counters, and cutting booths—blurs the boundaries between utility and artistry, while the use of rattan screens, transparent acrylic towel holders, and suspended ceiling air conditioning enhances a floating, ethereal quality throughout the space.

The L-shaped reception counter and benches extend across the floor plane, with intentionally separated joints to soften edges and create continuous flow. Rattan cutting booths are strategically placed 30 cm from walls, embedding mirrors and counters into the screens to create a perception of depth and spatial expansiveness. The entrance, treated with mirrored surfaces, reflects the urban street and transforms the threshold into a surreal tunnel-like experience, adding to the Zen-inspired ambiance.

Materials are carefully chosen to enhance the serene and minimalist aesthetic. Natural textures, warm tones, and lightweight finishes amplify the feeling of openness, while functional elements are visually separated from the building frame to further cultivate a floating sensation. Every corner of FUYU Salon embodies a delicate balance between function, design, and artistic expression, offering clients an intimate yet expansive sensory experience within a compact urban footprint.

All the photographs are works of Tatsuya Tabii