As with any other salon, the requirements for the Looks salon in Ardee Mall, Gurgaon were manifold – with requirements for distinct men and ladies sections, a styling area, a hair spa section, few private sections, a reception desk and a staff area. The requests weren't unusual, with a 1,800 sq ft square space and a 60 ft frontage the layout of the salon followed what the site dictated. 

The salon’s brand is a tie-up with an international Italian products brand, which associates itself with eco-friendly products. This collaboration inspired the decor and theme of the salon, which goes around as a modern rustic space with the use of sustainable materials and soothing greenery.

With a design that is driven by functionality, the styling areas were planned to take up the front zone, with the entire process of hairstyling and its nuances to put on display. A central reception desk is planned, dividing the store width into a men and ladies section, followed by the staff area that is attached to the barber section. As an extension of the styling section, a hair spa and more private treatment rooms are planned.

The design approach is from the outside in, i.e., the floor, ceiling and walls became the design anchor. White cement-based terrazzo finish on the floor with brass strips, grey walls and a warm wooden ceiling with custom-designed lighting adds a sense of warmth to space. Elements like metal brass strips are paired with a rustic cement finish paint on the walls, and a hint of gold paint added to the frames of black elliptical makeup mirrors, added to the luxury quotient of the salon. Overall, the colour palette centers on grey, with a warm golden tinge.

The entire 60 ft facade is finished in a black powder-coated, mild steel frame with a hint of gold, allowing for a view of the luxury space and the services offered. The use of light colours, warm textures and a common flooring and ceiling in the entire space, magnifies the sense of continuity further into the depths of the salon.

The salon is grandiose without a doubt, but is ecologically driven and is made up entirely of small, carefully curated elements that add to the overall user experience in a big way.