4. This Brazil-inspired Pretoria salon has a fresh take on beauty – and great design too

The new Inoar Lifestyle Centre in Pretoria rejuvenates the mind and body with its tranquil spaces, striking sculptural forms and vibrant botanical elements.

Given the way we’re caught up in the demands of career, family and the rapid tempo of city living, time to pamper and revitalise the spirit is usually swallowed up in the melee. Hendrien Kruger, owner of Inoar Lifestyle Centre, recognised this challenge as a beckoning opportunity in disguise. “Our vision was for the centre to be more than just a destination where women get pampered,” she says. “We want it to be a haven that inspires, supports dreams and cultivates a sense of community.”

Hendrien turned to award-winning architecture firm Earthworld Architects and Inside Interiors to transform her vision into a reality. Renowned for their skilful use of natural materials and exquisitely sculptural architecture, the architects’ design philosophy resonated immediately with the Inoar brand’s natural approach to beauty. One step through the striking asymmetrical entrance gate transports the senses to the lush tropics of Brazil, where human structures interweave seamlessly with nature. A cheeky frangipani takes centre stage as it pokes its branches through a curvaceous, off-shutter concrete canopy, bejewelled with glittering mosaics to frame the intimate central courtyard space beyond.

“The design draws much of its inspiration from the Inoar brand itself, focusing on its Brazilian roots and its strong natural, botanical connection,” says architect André Eksteen. And the fact that Inoar is surrounded by schools, churches and office parks in the centrally located Nieuw Muckleneuk suburb of Pretoria was seen by the architects as an opportunity to strengthen and elevate the brand’s presence with a bold design.

In the spirit of beauty and revitalisation, the original structures were repurposed with a dramatic new look into three distinctive yet interconnected spaces – a reception and retail area, a fully serviced coffee shop, and a beauty and treatment salon. Overhead, the sculptural concrete canopy floats across the courtyard and wraps around the salon to create a singular, unified space.

An essential part of the botanical theme was the retention of all existing trees on the premises, which guided the look and feel of the design. Huge circular cutouts were punched through existing walls to allow more natural light into the interior spaces, while also creating beautifully framed views of the landscaped gardens beyond.

Inside, the sweeping lines create an elegant backdrop for the richly appointed interiors. The furniture and fittings were all designed for Inoar by Earthworld Architects and Inside Interiors, who worked with local manufacturers to achieve the intricate finishes. Luxurious textures and materials were chosen to imbue a sense of permanence. “Classic materials such as marble, brass, wood and granite were used in their most natural form to create a timeless look,” André says.

The architects purposefully steered clear of the clinical stereotype typically associated with beauty salons, opting rather for bold, sculptural forms, luxurious textures, and flora-inspired colours that focus the senses on beauty and pampering. While the immaculate attention to detail showcases the architects’ ability to excel at their craft, it is the subtle hints at playfulness that ultimately transform this design into a true masterpiece. inoar.co.za | ewarch.co.za

THIS PAGE A circular hole was cut into the concrete structure to give way to nature, allowing the frangipani tree plenty of growth space. OPPOSITE, FROM LEFT Interior architects Mieke van Rooyen and Laurika Brümmer with architect and co-director André Eksteen from Earthworld Architects and Inside Interiors; the vivid pink walls and lush botanical greens echo the distinctive colour scheme of the Inoar brand.

THIS PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE Glass mosaics and plush velvet chairs add glamour to the waiting area; enveloped by nature, the new structure was carefully placed to fit between existing trees; interior and exterior are seamlessly connected through frameless windows; specially designed by Earthworld Architects and Inside Interiors, the furniture matches the architectural style with its bold shapes and feminine lines. OPPOSITE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Outdoor salon stations allow clients to become fully immersed in the garden setting; a unique entrance gate invites visitors to discover the secrets beyond; the reception and coffee bar counters are made with fluted Verde Guatemala marble and Zimbabwe Black granite; an interplay of textures is created between the rough off-shutter concrete, glossy mosaics and sleek frameless glass; the botanical theme continues inside with planters suspended from oak-panelled ceilings.