STAKK Hair Salon by kfuna – A Grid-Inspired Space of Logic and Balance in Osaka

Located on Osaka’s vibrant Orange Street, STAKK Hair Salon, designed by kfuna and led by architect Fumitaka Kawanishi, redefines the traditional salon experience through a unique architectural language rooted in grids, logic, and modularity. Completed in 2022 with a floor area of 107 m², the project translates the owner’s conceptual approach to hairstyling into an immersive spatial design.

Concept and Inspiration

The salon’s name “STAKK” derives from “stack,” symbolizing accumulation and layering. Its design concept originates from a sketch by owner Masaki Yoshida, who analyzed hairstyles through grid-based diagrams reflecting the relationship between head shape and hair flow. This idea of a “grid as foundation” became the architectural DNA of the project.

Spatial Design and Materials

The grid system extends across the flooring and walls, expressed through tiled surfaces that establish rhythm and function. Seating arrangements, mirror placements, and the spatial intervals between objects are all meticulously measured to maintain visual harmony and balance.

At the heart of the salon, stainless-steel booths house shampoo sinks, acting as functional partitions while creating subtle “blind spots” that break direct sightlines without building permanent walls. Rows of styling chairs line the periphery, with the possibility to expand from four to nine seats in the future, highlighting the salon’s adaptability.

On the walls, wood wool cement tiles subdivided into regular segments provide both acoustic insulation and aesthetic texture, enhancing the calm atmosphere. Externally, stainless-steel surfaces are arranged in a tiled stacking system, reinforcing the design’s core concept of periodic subdivision.

Flexibility and Sustainability

A key design feature is modularity. The use of stainless steel in tile form allows for easy expansion, reconfiguration, and repair. Damaged portions can be replaced individually without disrupting the whole system, ensuring longevity and sustainability. This approach reflects a thoughtful balance between functionality, environmental responsibility, and long-term adaptability.

Experience and Atmosphere

The interior prioritizes distance, balance, and subtlety, echoing the owner’s sensitivity to spatial order. Every element—from chair spacing to parallel alignments of walls and floors—contributes to a calm and precise environment. By layering materials, light, and functional zones, the salon achieves a refined aesthetic that merges minimalist design with logical structure.

All Photographs are works of Daisuke Shima