The completion of College Road brings the number of homes delivered by volumetric specialist Tide in the borough to 1,483, following the completion in 2020 of neighbouring scheme Ten Degrees, with the two developments combining to boost urban renewal. Volumetric developer Tide has completed a landmark development called College Road,
Following the Prime Minister’s announcement that the HS2 high speed rail line from the West Midlands to Manchester will be scrapped, please find below a comment from CILT(UK). Julian Worth FCILT, spokesperson for CILT Strategic Rail Policy Group comments: “CILT is deeply disappointed at the cancellation of HS2 north of
Travelodge is looking for a further 300 hotel locations across the UK and welcomes the opportunity to work with major hospitality companies and retailers on mixed development schemes to support this expansion programme Travelodge, the UK’s first budget hotel chain, which operates nearly 600 hotels across the UK, Ireland, and Spain,
Torbay, UK – Alan Denby, Director of Pride in Place at Torbay Council, has announced a groundbreaking deal expected to be worth over £100 million. This monumental agreement comes as a direct result of Torbay Council’s participation in The ‘UK’s Real Estate Investment & Infrastructure Forum’ (UKREiiF) annual event held
Building performance experts at Leeds Beckett University have teamed up with world-leading technology manufacturers, Coltraco Ultrasonics, to develop their Portascanner® Airtight, a novel rapid low-cost ultrasonic device which can be used to quickly assess and quantify the airtightness performance of a building. The Portascanner® Airtight is a handheld tool which
A pair of ageing Salford tower blocks are going ‘green’ as part of a multi-million pound eco-transformation. Housing association Salix Homes has unveiled its ambitious investment plans for neighbouring blocks Greyfriar Court and Whitefriar Court in the Greengate area of Salford. The 14-storey high rise buildings will undergo a £10million
Mace has been selected as the main contractor for the Landsec Timber Square redevelopment on Lavington Street in Southwark. The announcement confirms Landsec’s commitment to delivering the project in full and will progress Landsec’s ambition to deliver a one million sq ft green office cluster in Southwark. The redevelopment of
Want to succeed in today’s fast-paced business landscape? Stay informed and connected to the latest trends, understand them, and adapt to those that make sense for your business. The salon and spa industry is no exception to the winds of change – as the expectations of clients evolve, staying on
BDC 319 : Aug 2024
The completion of College Road brings the number of homes delivered by volumetric specialist Tide in the borough to 1,483, following the completion in 2020 of neighbouring scheme Ten Degrees, with the two developments combining to boost urban renewal. Volumetric developer Tide has completed a landmark development called College Road, in Croydon, South London, near East Croydon train station. The scheme comprises two buildings: a 50-storey BTR development with 817 one-bed and studio apartments, and a 35-storey building providing 120 affordable homes. The 50-storey, 163-metre building is also Europe’s tallest volumetric modular tower. Until now this record was held by another of Tide’s developments, neighbouring Ten Degrees, which includes a 135-metre tower and was completed in 2020. Completion of construction comes two months ahead of schedule, further enhancing returns for investors Oaktree Capital Management and operator Outpost Management. The market-leading development features the UK’s most extensive range of BTR amenities while also being the largest co-living asset class scheme to have been approved by the Greater London Authority. As both developer and contractor for College Road, Tide worked alongside its sister company and volumetric manufacturer, Vision, using an approach that cuts traditional construction time by up to 50%. The efficiency of Vision’s offsite technology resulted in 73% of the entire developments floor plate being installed in 32% of the programme, helping to achieve the 28-month schedule. This technique with its efficient construction logistics enabled the delivery of 937 homes on the constrained 2000m2 site. The development was designed by Tide and Vision’s in-house design teams in collaboration with architects HTA Design. Enclave: Croydon The 50-storey tower, now open and operating as Enclave: Croydon, was completed in partnership with Outpost Management and funded by Oaktree Capital Management. Enclave: Croydon offers a mix of studios and one-bedroom apartments in a range of sizes, available on an all-inclusive basis with flexible tenures. By redefining this asset class, the scheme will provide seven floors of carefully curated, expansive amenity space, marking a significant milestone in the development of this emerging residential typology. Designed by architects Tigg + Coll in collaboration with Outpost Management, the high-quality interiors are complemented by over 30 innovative amenity spaces. These include dedicated entertainment and wellbeing spaces, a podcast studio, multifaith space, spa complete with steam room and sauna, high-end gym, show kitchens, co-working and conference rooms, all topped by a Sky Garden across the 50th floor. The scheme demonstrates the strong design flexibility and exceptional quality of architecture that the Vision system delivers, as well as the ability to build at record-breaking heights. With Enclave: Croydon, Tide has beaten its own record set at neighbouring Ten Degrees, which, at 44-storeys, became Europe’s tallest modular building when completed in 2020. Affordable homes The 35-storey tower contains 120 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, ranging from 51-85m2, community space across two floors, and a roof terrace on level 35. These much-needed affordable homes will be available on a Discount Market Rent (DMR) basis. The homes provide beautiful views and benefit from high-quality finishes, as well as the Vision Volumetric system’s high levels of acoustic insulation, soundproofing them from the busy urban environment. Artwork by Adam Nathaniel Furman The development includes a glazed colonnade featuring artwork designed by London artist Adam Nathaniel Furman. Comprising three-dimensional porcelain tiles, which are wrapped around the building, the colonnade links to a wider network of landscaped public routes between East Croydon Station and the cultural quarter providing direct links to central London. The seven-metre-high arcade adds a new, beautifully crafted streetscape to the city. Sustainable placemaking College Road forms part of the volumetric-driven urban development of Croydon. Including Ten Degrees and College Road, Tide and Vision have provided close to 1,500 homes, amenity, and commercial space, further enhancing the neighbourhood, and adding to the regeneration of Croydon. Volumetric construction unlocked the viability of these major sites which sat idle for many years, adding to the area’s housing stock and overall vibrancy. For both companies, this completion builds on a substantial track record of delivering high-quality volumetric developments and strengthens the companies’ longstanding partnerships with its funders and investors. This success is based on a robust business model which combines developer, contractor, and volumetric manufacturer. Tide and Vision have a strong future pipeline, with over 3,500 homes currently onsite. John Fleming, Chairman of Tide and Vision, said: “It’s fantastic to see this landmark development come to completion after only 28 months, two months ahead of schedule. College Road demonstrates the many benefits that come with building volumetric and its capacity to transform constrained sites into valuable real estate, but most importantly, providing nearly 1,000 homes and a revitalised public realm for Londoners delivered in an efficient and sustainable way. College Road is a milestone development that highlights our strong partnership with Outpost Management and Oaktree Capital Partners.” Troy Tomasik, Outpost Management founder and CEO, said: “We’re immensely proud to have completed Enclave: Croydon and to have welcomed our first residents to their market-leading new homes. Designed to meet the evolving needs of today’s renters and deliver effortless living, our development sets a new standard for the UK rental market, offering unparalleled convenience-led, tech-enabled studio living on an all-inclusive basis. Nowhere else in the UK can you find the range of features available here, combined with beautifully-designed apartments, in a supremely connected location. Simon Bayliss, Managing Partner at HTA Design, said: “College Road is the product of extensive research into successful models for high density shared living and is the first project to be approved under the GLA’s Co-Living policy. Every aspect of the development was designed to offer residents the most liveable private space, whilst also having the free enjoyment of truly fantastic communal facilities. The building connects East Croydon to the new cultural quarter through a colonnade enlivened by crafted public art, an integral part of the building’s striking architecture. The design embraces the optimism of Croydon’s mid-century heritage including Richard Seifert’s iconic NLA building, whilst complimenting the neighbouring Ten Degrees, also designed by HTA with
Following the Prime Minister’s announcement that the HS2 high speed rail line from the West Midlands to Manchester will be scrapped, please find below a comment from CILT(UK). Julian Worth FCILT, spokesperson for CILT Strategic Rail Policy Group comments: “CILT is deeply disappointed at the cancellation of HS2 north of Birmingham and the negative consequences this is likely to have for the British economy and environment. The dramatic improvements in connectivity the North and Scotland would have seen cannot be delivered by alternative schemes and their economies will be significantly disadvantaged as a result. The rest of the world is forging ahead with construction of high-speed rail lines as the preferred way of improving infrastructure and decarbonising long-distance transport. It does not seem plausible that the current UK government is right to abandon high speed rail and that everyone else has it wrong. The problem with HS2 is not that it is the wrong project, but that its costs have been allowed to escalate out of control. Some cost inflation was inevitable as a result of Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, but not to the extent which has occurred on HS2. Other densely populated countries are able to control the cost of major infrastructure projects and, within the UK, HS1 was delivered on time and under budget. A level of cost inflation has come about by changes to specification – particularly compared to the original proposals for a TGV-style line. Subsequent cost inflation suggests that something has gone badly wrong with the management of HS2 and we consider that a key factor was the failure to appoint and retain seasoned professionals, with knowledge of how to specify, tender and control major rail schemes, to senior roles in the project. CILT believes the correct course of action would have been to undertake a comprehensive review of HS2 costs by such seasoned professionals, using best practice from around the world, and considers the opportunity to do so should now be taken. Rather than a “bespoke UK” solution, consideration should be given to using specifications from existing schemes in Europe and beyond. The climate crisis is worsening by the year and the need to decarbonise is becoming greater and more urgent. Net Zero 2050 remains an imperative and Government must not weaken long term commitments for short term expediency. Funding should not be diverted to high carbon road projects simply to satisfy the demands of a vocal minority. This is particularly true with freight and logistics. Almost all large companies now have clear carbon reduction strategies, but decarbonising long distance road freight movements is extremely challenging. Battery HGVs will carry out local and regional distribution, but decarbonising trunk haulage by road is much more difficult and, for this reason, modal shift to rail trunking is an attractive option for many companies. Rather than a significant allocation to road projects, a proportion of any money released from HS2 should be invested in modal shift by increasing capacity at key locations and electrifying missing links in the core rail freight network, 60% of which is already electrified. Wiring 800 miles over the next 20 years at a cost of less than £2bn would allow c.95% of rail freight to be electrically hauled with zero carbon emissions. We welcome the announcement that capacity is to be increased on the vital freight route from Felixstowe to the Midlands and North, with investments at Ely and Haughley Junctions. This route should also be electrified as key strategic investment for freight and logistics, supporting supply chains for businesses in the Midlands and the North. A series of investments in capacity on the West Coast Main Line are also required in lieu of the capacity that would have been released by HS2. These include 4-tracking between Colwich and Stafford plus between Winsford and Warrington. It is essential that a significant proportion of the capacity released by HS2 Phase 1 continues to be earmarked for freight. Providing certainty on such projects would help to encourage private investment in rail-connected logistics centres, which in turn supports the UK’s move to decarbonise transport. This is private investment which may look outside of the UK if there remains uncertainty over when the projects replacing HS2 are due to be delivered.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Travelodge is looking for a further 300 hotel locations across the UK and welcomes the opportunity to work with major hospitality companies and retailers on mixed development schemes to support this expansion programme Travelodge, the UK’s first budget hotel chain, which operates nearly 600 hotels across the UK, Ireland, and Spain, is delighted to announce it has entered a sublet agreement with Popeyes Louisiana Chicken. The global brand, which is renowned for its ‘Shatter Crunch’ chicken, is taking the UK by storm and has opened one of its first UK drive-thru restaurants at the Northampton Upton Way Travelodge hotel site. In a unique sublet deal, Popeyes UK is the latest retail brand to join the Travelodge mixed-scheme development partnership portfolio. Over the last three decades, Travelodge, the pioneering hotel chain has been the first hotel brand to partner-up with a number of household brands in a variety of mixed use developments alongside other complementary uses – such as retail, food & beverage, coffee shops and drive-thrus. This includes Travelodge hotels operating alongside a popular retail brand such as Starbucks, Subway, McDonalds and now Popeyes Louisiana Chicken. Travelodge was also the first hotel brand to partner with some of Britain’s biggest supermarkets and retailers such as: Tesco, Sainsbury’s, M&S, Aldi, Lidl, Home Bargains and Waitrose – making it easier for customers to pick up essentials during their stay. Today, over a third of Travelodge hotels are located within a mixed development scheme with household brands. Detailed are some of the brands that Travelodge has worked with in development partnership programmes. Aldi Burger King Costa Coffee Greggs Green Hill Pubs Home Bargains KFC Lidl Marks & Spencer Marstons McDonalds Sainsburys Starbucks Subway Tesco Waitrose Travelodge is keen to expand its development brand partnerships as part of its UK expansion programme which includes looking for a further 300 hotel sites across the country. Mixed-use development is gaining popularity not just in the UK but across the globe as it is becoming a more prominent feature of planning policy, with the aim of revitalising urban centres and generating benefits for all stakeholders and the community. It also reduces the neighbourhood carbon footprint and minimises air pollution. In addition it spurs revitalisation, supports regeneration and enhances an area’s unique identity and development potential by promoting a sense of place and community. Also certain brands such as Travelodge can influence other brands to invest into the programme and enhance the customer experience. For example our London Manor House Travelodge is a part of a mixed-use, new development, including a Co-Op convenience store, a coffee shop and a hostel. From the 300 hotel locations where Travelodge is actively looking to open a hotel – 120 of these locations currently do not have a Travelodge hotel and fifty of these sites do not currently have a branded budget hotel. Therefore opening a Travelodge in these locations would greatly impact on the town’s economy and attract more business and leisure visitors to the area. Collectively this expansion programme could create around 9,000 new jobs across the UK. The Popeyes drive-thru restaurant is located at the site of the first Travelodge hotel in Northampton at Walter Tull Way, Upton, Northampton. Today, Travelodge operates ten hotels across Northamptonshire and the group has also recently acquired the lease of the Ibis hotel in Wellingborough and is actively looking for a further hotel in Corby. Steve Bennett, Travelodge, Chief Property & Development Officer, said: “We are constantly looking at new and innovative ways to develop our estate and enhance the customer journey. We have experience of working with major retailers and hospitality companies to help maximise development opportunities to support local growth, job creation and regeneration. As pioneers of the budget hotel sector, we are delighted to enter a sublet agreement with Popeyes and to offer the first hotel drive-thru restaurant at our Northampton Upton Way Travelodge site.” “As we look to the future, we have identified that we can grow our business with a further 300 hotels across the UK and we welcome the opportunity to continue to work with Popeyes as well as other major retailers and hospitality companies on mixed-development schemes. This investment from third party investors will help to create around 9,000 new jobs, support local economies and importantly give our guests a great base location for their business and leisure trips.” Travelodge currently has opportunities for retail sublets across the UK – for further information please visit: www.travelodgeproperty.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Torbay, UK – Alan Denby, Director of Pride in Place at Torbay Council, has announced a groundbreaking deal expected to be worth over £100 million. This monumental agreement comes as a direct result of Torbay Council’s participation in The ‘UK’s Real Estate Investment & Infrastructure Forum’ (UKREiiF) annual event held in Leeds. Denby expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “We’ve worked with UKREiiF and the team behind it for the first time this year. Being present in Leeds opened doors for us, allowing us to engage in pivotal conversations with investors, developers, and occupiers. These are conversations we wouldn’t have had the chance to partake in without being there in person. We’re on the brink of recommending a preferred value partner to collaborate with us on four key sites, a testament to the opportunities that arise from being in the room when significant investments are being discussed. UKREiiF is an event of paramount importance, and we wholeheartedly endorse participation.” Torbay is currently undergoing a transformative phase, with multi-million-pound projects unfolding across Torquay, Paignton, and Brixham. This surge in investment aims to rejuvenate the towns, bolster the local economy, and enhance infrastructure. The overarching goal is to create thriving spaces for the community and to ensure job and training opportunities for future generations. Torbay Council has been instrumental in this transformation, having devised a strategy based on feedback from residents, businesses, and investors. UKREiiF Director Matt Christie said: “We are thrilled to have played a part in this monumental announcement for Torbay Council. They were an early adopter of UKREiiF and have reaped the rewards of not only attending, but have been a valued partner that fully embraces the opportunities that UKREiiF offers everyone: wall-to-wall networking with thousands of organisations that genuinely want to invest £millions. Bravo, Torbay!” For more information about UKREiiF, visit [UKREiiF Annual Event 2024](https://www.ukreiif.com/event/ukreiif-annual-event-2024/). To learn more about Torbay Council’s regeneration projects, visit [Invest In Torbay](https://investintorbay.com/news/our-projects/regeneration/). Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Building performance experts at Leeds Beckett University have teamed up with world-leading technology manufacturers, Coltraco Ultrasonics, to develop their Portascanner® Airtight, a novel rapid low-cost ultrasonic device which can be used to quickly assess and quantify the airtightness performance of a building. The Portascanner® Airtight is a handheld tool which uses ultrasound to detect and locate air leakage sites. It is the first system of its kind to also quantify the extent of any air leakage. The tool can be applied to both new and existing buildings, so can be used before, during and after building or renovation. The new collaboration between Coltraco and Leeds Beckett University has been funded by the Government through Innovate UK to develop, evaluate, and optimise the use of the Portascanner® Airtight – creating an improved version of the product, along with best practice guides and training materials for professionals. Dr David Johnston, Professor of Building Performance Evaluation in the Leeds Sustainability Institute at Leeds Beckett University, said: “The airtightness performance of building fabric can have a significant impact on energy use and CO2 emissions. Therefore, it is important to develop low-cost tools that are capable of rapidly assessing and quantifying the airtightness performance of a building, providing an alternative to existing methods of testing airtightness. All of these tools will be important in helping the UK meet its Net Zero obligations.” The project will assess the use of the new technology within both a controlled and real-world environment. This will be used to design and develop a rigorous, best-practice process. The team will also compare the technology with other airtightness testing technologies – such as blower door fans – to assess the accuracy of the Portascanner® Airtight and how it compliments tried and tested existing technologies. The team also plan to make improvements to the technology, including upgrading the hardware to include a wireless sensor, and developing and testing a mount for a geostationary drone, to hold the generator in place on external structures for tall buildings. Daniel Dobrowolski, Senior Physicist – Research, Development, Design, and Ergonomics at Coltraco Ultrasonics, said: “We are committed to evaluating the benefits of the Portascanner® Airtight as a rapid testing tool through a systematic empirical study and so this project is a fantastic opportunity to collaborate with the academic experts. The research we undertake with Leeds Beckett will aid professional airtightness testers, building services engineers, and building surveyors to confidently take full advantage of Coltraco’s innovative technology to improve building airtightness and, ultimately, building sustainability.” Professor Johnston added: “We look forward to further developing our relationship with Coltraco, and demonstrating how industry and universities can work together to improve the sustainability of the built environment in the UK.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A pair of ageing Salford tower blocks are going ‘green’ as part of a multi-million pound eco-transformation. Housing association Salix Homes has unveiled its ambitious investment plans for neighbouring blocks Greyfriar Court and Whitefriar Court in the Greengate area of Salford. The 14-storey high rise buildings will undergo a £10million refurbishment, making them greener and more energy efficient. The planned improvement work includes external wall and roof insulation, new windows and ventilation; while the façade and balconies will be completely rendered and transformed. An eco-friendly ground source heating system will also be installed, which, combined with the external insulation will improve the thermal efficiency of the building and help reduce energy bills for Salix Homes customers. The state-of-the-art heating system works by harnessing the natural heat from the ground, rather than burning fuel to generate heat. Liam Turner, Executive Director of Assets, Growth and Sustainability at Salix Homes, said: “Salix Homes is committed to creating cleaner, greener homes and communities, so we’re pleased to share with residents our ambitious plans for Greyfriar and Whitefriar Court, which aim to enhance residents’ quality of life and reduce carbon emissions. “This significant investment project will give a new lease of life to these ageing 1960s tower blocks, transforming the properties into desirable, modern homes which are more comfortable and economical to run, while helping to meet our carbon neutral ambitions. “This marks another step forwards towards achieving our sustainability goals and improving the energy efficiency of all our housing stock, which will benefit both our residents and the planet.” Salix Homes, which owns 8,000 homes across Salford, has secured £4million from the government’s Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) to help fund the project, following a successful bid from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) on behalf of social housing providers across Greater Manchester. The SHDF scheme provides financial support to social housing providers and local authorities to undertake energy efficiency and decarbonisation measures. The Government has set a target that all social housing should have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) of a ‘C’ rating by 2030, as part of the net zero programme to reduce the UK’s carbon emissions, while Salix Homes has committed to becoming a carbon neutral organisation by 2038. Salix Homes’ partner contractor Casey will carry out the improvement work, which is due to start on site later this year, and is expected to be complete by March 2025. Alan Taylor, Operations Director at Casey, said: “We are pleased to be working in partnership with Salix Homes to deliver the transformation of Greyfriar and Whitefriar Court. The work being undertaken supports our purpose of improving lives and will ensure benefits to the residents living within the blocks. Throughout the project we will also deliver social value initiatives to benefit the local community.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Mace has been selected as the main contractor for the Landsec Timber Square redevelopment on Lavington Street in Southwark. The announcement confirms Landsec’s commitment to delivering the project in full and will progress Landsec’s ambition to deliver a one million sq ft green office cluster in Southwark. The redevelopment of the former printworks will be the latest large-scale project Landsec is carrying out in Southwark, following the recent delivery of The Forge, the UK’s first Net-Zero commercial building designed in line with the UKGBC’s framework, which was completed by Mace and its joint venture partners, Sir Robert McAlpine. Building on the lessons learnt from The Forge, the project will further pioneer new approaches to designing and building net zero spaces, expanding the use of low-carbon materials to achieve around a 50% reduction in Co2 during construction compared to a typical office build. Timber Square will offer 380,000 sq ft of Grade A office space, split between two linked buildings, as well as retail space and a vibrant destination with a sizeable public realm which will boost pedestrian routes in the area. Timber Square is a pioneering net zero office development and will retain 85% of the existing structure by embracing a range of modern methods of construction, including the use of cross-laminated timber (CLT) to deliver a highly sustainable, energy-efficient space. Air Source Heat Pumps will be the primary heat source of the development. The redevelopment is targeting a BREAAM ‘Excellent’ and Well Core Platinum, as well as £205 million social and local economic value generated during the project life cycle. Pat Fitzgerald, Commercial Director for Major Projects at Mace, said: “We are delighted to be working with LandSec on another fantastic project. We are aligned by our common purpose to create sustainable, high-quality office spaces for London such as Timber Square. We look forward to getting started on this major redevelopment to play a part in the regeneration of London’s Southbank.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Want to succeed in today’s fast-paced business landscape? Stay informed and connected to the latest trends, understand them, and adapt to those that make sense for your business. The salon and spa industry is no exception to the winds of change – as the expectations of clients evolve, staying on top of design trends is essential for setting your business apart from your competitors. If you’re looking for inspiring design trends for your salon or spa, you’ve come to the right place. Below, we explore the latest trends that cater to modern salons and health spas, focusing on the ones that blend wellness with a pleasing aesthetic experience. Sustainable Materials Sustainable materials are not only good for the environment, but they’re also typically extremely durable and do not negatively impact the health and well-being of your clients. When incorporating sustainable materials into your salon or spa, it’s good to consider every aspect of your space. When it comes to materials, opt for eco-friendly options like reclaimed wood, recycled glass, and low-VOC paints whenever possible. Energy efficiency also matters, so swap out traditional lighting fixtures for LED lights that consume less energy. You may also want to install programmable thermostats to regulate heating and cooling efficiently. Additionally, recycling and composting stations in staff areas can encourage responsible waste management, demonstrating your commitment to a greener future. Biophilia Biophilia is certainly no new trend in spas, but it’s become even more popular these past few years. This trend, which centers around reconnecting with nature by bringing the outdoors inside the salon or spa, is more relevant than ever in our increasingly digital world. To implement biophilic concepts into your space, prominently display lots of indoor plants and opt for natural elements like stone finishes and wood textures. If possible, design your space with outdoor seating areas or gardens for clients to enjoy before or after their treatments. The soothing presence of nature can have a profound impact on their overall experience. Large windows that provide lots of natural light and offer glimpses of outdoor greenery can also help make your indoor space more inviting and relaxing. Technology Integration We live in digital times, so embracing technology is essential for businesses wanting to stay competitive and successful. The basics include having a user-friendly, mobile-responsive website that allows clients to view services and easily book appointments. When it comes to integrating technology into your physical space, consider using touchless systems, such as contactless check-in and payment options, smart mirrors with customizable lighting, and automated fragrance diffusers. If you want to go all in, consider installing immersive virtual reality rooms so your guests can meditate in beautiful or otherworldly environments. Technology can also help you manage client appointments more efficiently: salon appointment software solutions are ideal for streamlining scheduling and helping you track client preferences and histories. Minimalist Aesthetics A design that emphasizes simplicity and functionality, minimalism is at home at salons and spas. Adopting this aesthetic is easy as long as you remember the mantra: less is more. Stick to a monochromatic or limited color palette, incorporate clean lines in your furniture and decor, and maintain clutter-free spaces. You can also use soft, natural colors like beiges, grays, and browns to create a serene atmosphere. True minimalist design also prioritizes functionality, so it’s important that every piece in your space serves a purpose and contributes to the overall sense of tranquility. Furniture should be comfortable, eco-friendly, and simple but sleek. Decor is, of course, allowed (encouraged even), but it, too, should have a purpose. Wellness-Focused Design To create a truly holistic experience for your clients, one that goes beyond beauty and treatments and leaves a lasting impression in their memory, embrace design that focuses on improving the health and well-being of your clients. Include elements like calming color schemes, ergonomic seating, and soundproofing to create serene wellness zones. If you have a spa, designate areas for activities like yoga, meditation, and perhaps even nutritional consultations. The idea is to offer a range of wellness services, whether that’s mindfulness sessions, aromatherapy workshops, or simple herbal teas, to encourage a slow and memorable wellness experience.
