Interior

06-05-2026

Photographer : Rajat Bhagat

Text provided by Architect

A sculpted sanctuary rooted in calm 

Sana Chouhan Salon in Jammu re-imagines the contemporary beauty space as an immersive retreat, one that privileges softness, tactility, and emotional ease over spectacle. Conceived as a sanctuary rather than a high-energy commercial environment, the project interprets beauty as form: fluid, layered, and quietly expressive. 

The client envisioned a space that departed from the archetype of glossy, mirror-lined salon interiors. Instead, the design sought to create a calming milieu — understated yet immersive — where rituals of grooming unfold within an atmosphere of sensory comfort. The resulting interior reads less like a transactional retail space and more like a sculpted landscape shaped by contour and light. 

Upon entry, one is enveloped in a warm, earthen palette of ecru and sand-toned neutrals. Subtle textured finishes lend the walls a tactile depth that captures and diffuses light softly. Decorative excess is intentionally absent; instead, architecture becomes the primary aesthetic driver. Sweeping arches and softened edges dissolve rigid boundaries, allowing the plan to flow organically. The blueprint resists strict linearity, unfolding in gentle curves that form intimate alcoves and layered spatial moments. 

The ceiling emerges as a defining protagonist. Sculpted contours ripple across its surface, wrapping around structural elements and transforming technical constraints into expressive gestures. Concealed cove lighting washes these curves in a warm glow, heightening the grotto-like ambiance. Illumination here is atmospheric rather than overt — enhancing texture, depth, and shadow while maintaining serenity. 

Jammu,Jammu and Kashmir,India

Architects : Aviral Design Studio
Area : 4200 sq. ft.
Year of Completion : 2025
Website : https://www.instagram.com/aviraldesignstudio/

Reception Area of Sana Chouhan Salon by Aviral Design Studio


Waiting Lounge of Sana Chouhan Salon by Aviral Design Studio


Hair Styling Station of Sana Chouhan Salon by Aviral Design Studio

Styling stations are conceived as freestanding sculptural anchors within this muted canvas. Arched mirrors framed in soft-toned forms establish rhythm and procession through the space. Their repetition creates continuity, while deep burgundy accents introduce measured contrast against the otherwise monochromatic environment. These stations balance solidity and lightness, acting simultaneously as functional elements and architectural markers. 

Material selection remains cohesive and restrained. Custom-crafted arch forms enable the salon’s signature fluid geometry, reinforcing softness and continuity. Natural fabrics and plush upholstery introduce tactile warmth, ensuring comfort remains central to the experience. Minimal metal and wood accents are used sparingly to maintain visual gentleness. 


Hair Styling Station of Sana Chouhan Salon by Aviral Design Studio


Hair Styling Station of Sana Chouhan Salon by Aviral Design Studio


Nail Art Section of Sana Chouhan Salon by Aviral Design Studio


Makeup room of Sana Chouhan Salon by Aviral Design Studio

A standout experiential moment within the salon is the makeup room — discreetly concealed behind what appears to be a sculptural art wall. Drawing inspiration from the Hamsa hand, abstracted to symbolize auspiciousness and protection from the evil eye, the installation merges symbolism with spatial function. Rather than presenting itself as a conventional entry, it reads as contemporary relief artwork embedded within the architectural surface, inviting curiosity and discovery. 

Beyond this concealed threshold lies an intimate beauty room designed as a hidden sanctuary. Anchoring the space is an artistic makeup console that blurs the boundary between furniture and sculpture. Its form complements the overarching language of curves, ensuring continuity in design vocabulary. Expressive face murals animate the walls, reinforcing the salon’s central narrative — beauty as identity and self-expression. Within this space, the atmosphere becomes quieter, more personal, allowing clients to engage in transformation rituals within a thoughtfully curated setting. 


Makeup room of Sana Chouhan Salon by Aviral Design Studio


Bridal Lounge of Sana Chouhan Salon by Aviral Design Studio

Planning throughout the salon emphasizes fluidity and intuitive movement. Styling areas, bridal lounge, pedicure stations, spa rooms, and hair wash sections are unified through a consistent material and colour language, ensuring cohesion despite functional diversity. Circulation flows organically, guided by curves rather than corridors, enabling seamless transitions between zones. 

Challenges such as limited ceiling height and fixed service elements were resolved through precise coordination and sculptural ceiling articulation, preserving perceived volume while reinforcing the design narrative. Additionally, adherence to Vastu principles influenced spatial positioning, requiring careful integration of plumbing and services without disrupting the organic geometry. Through meticulous planning, functionality was seamlessly embedded within the architectural expression. 

What ultimately distinguishes Sana Chouhan Salon is its refusal to equate luxury with excess. Here, luxury is defined through proportion, texture, light, and emotional resonance. The restrained palette allows shadow and form to take precedence. Tactile finishes invite touch. Spatial fluidity slows movement, encouraging pause and presence. 

More than a beauty destination, the salon stands as a carefully carved environment where architecture becomes atmosphere — calm, sculptural, and deeply immersive.


Spa room of Sana Chouhan Salon by Aviral Design Studio


Plan of Sana Chouhan Salon by Aviral Design Studio




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