The ceiling is the facade of a salon situated on the third floor of a commercial building. Looked up from the street, only the ceiling is visible through the glass windows. The entire ceiling is, the luminous source for the building of Xel-Ha, a hair salon run by afloat. One of the materials used is the white semi-transparent “warlon” sheets (plastic laminated washi), which is commonly used for lamp shades and emit optimal diffused light.

The other is the fluorescent light bulbs which are the actual source of light. The plastic sheets are curled in the form of an arch and is hanged from the ceiling, covering the whole surface. Despite the exposed light source, the plastic sheets block the direct glare into the eyes from any viewing angles. The ceiling surface is transformed into a luminous flare and bears a feeling of a gigantic cloud in the sky. Underneath the clouds, a landscape of furnitures and floor opens up, limiting itself to the colour scheme of dark brown and stainless steel.

Photo:Ano Daici

Designed by Aoki Jun

http://www.aokijun.com/