SONO Salon by Inrestudio

SONO is an interior design project for a hair salon located in a quiet area of Ho Chi Minh City. The name “SONO” means garden in Japanese, aligning with the design approach of evoking exterior space through minimal elements.

Without altering the existing white walls, a new artificial and topographic “wall” is introduced as the primary spatial element running through both floors of the maisonette. Within the naturally lit interior, the form of this “wall” creates gradations of dwelling throughout the space, with each functional area arranged in accordance with its shape.

On the first floor, the waiting area, service counter, styling area, and shampoo area are arranged in sequence from the entrance toward the rear—a straightforward layout reflected in the purely geometric form of the “wall.” The stair arrives at approximately the center of the second floor, from which four styling stations extend to the right, the shampoo area to the left, and service rooms along the perimeter. The more complex program of the second floor is reflected in the “wall,” which takes on a configuration of multiple curved arcs.

On both floors, the “wall” varies in height from front to back, progressively articulating the space. The finish consists of two types—green tile and a raw gray surface—each suggesting a front and a back. As one moves through the space, the alternating appearance of both surfaces, with views opening and closing, corresponds to the continuous spatial variation of a garden.