Salon Lane Siren Design

INDE.Awards 2021

Shortlisted for The Shopping Space, partnered by Tappeti

While co-working offices for corporate freelancers are par for the course, the idea of a shared space tailored for people in hair, beauty and wellness is almost unheard of in Australia. Enter Salon Lane in Sydney’s Surry Hills, a bustling communal workspace for hairdressers, beauty therapists and wellness practitioners.

“It’s an amazing concept that works really well in the United States, but it’s a totally new model here,’’ says Emily Platt, interior designer at Siren Design. “So we were excited to be part of such an entrepreneurial project, designing a space for that industry to thrive.”

Inside a 1920s industrial building, a pared back design exudes contemporary chic. Paying homage to existing features, including exposed brick walls and structural beams, Siren Design introduced a complementary material palette of cool-toned timbers and neutral hues. Salon Lane’s visual identity, developed with Sydney-based design practice SomeOne, is subtly referenced through maroon

handrails, joinery in the shared area, and metal details in the hair station.

“The palette is both classic and modern. It needed to be timeless, to act as a blank canvas for people to take ownership,” says Platt. Visitors are welcomed into an energetic communal space, with private studios lining the building perimeter, taking advantage of natural light and views through heritage windows.

It’s a place centred on community, where professionals can learn and collaborate with others, while maintaining the creative freedom and individuality of running their own business.

“Our aim was for the design to be very flexible, so that people who work there can run in-house events, or open the space up and invite external guests for talks and demonstrations,” says Platt. “It’s satisfying to see it in action now – Salon Lane has become a real hub for that industry.”