DAIMARU FUKUOKA TENJIN VIP SALON

Located on the south side of Fukuoka’s bustling commercial hub, Tenjin, the Daimaru Fukuoka Tenjin Store includes a floor with a scenic view that has been transformed into a lounge for members and a private salon for consultations.
While many member-exclusive lounges and salons lean toward obvious symbols of luxury, such as high-end materials and dazzling lighting, this approach can sometimes overwhelm the calm atmosphere essential for members to relax during salon consultations. Considering the ongoing redevelopment in the Tenjin area, which has placed the entire district at a turning point, it became clear that the space needed to strike a balance. The design aimed to provide an appropriate sense of exclusivity while maintaining timeless stability, unaffected by trends or environmental changes.
A defining feature of the project is the use of stone materials for the finishes. Combined with natural materials like wood and sisal, the design achieves a balance between profound feel and minimalism. For the primary stonework, widely available granite was chosen, ensuring compatibility with other materials and cost efficiency. At the same time, eight types of natural stone quarried from the eight prefectures of Kyushu (*) were selected for focal elements like the reception counter, tables, and portions of the walls and floors. This choice responded to the client’s desire to incorporate materials unique to the region into the space.

These regional stones, sourced from Kyushu’s eight prefectures, include both those still commonly used in construction and others that have seen declining demand in recent years. The client, who has been actively promoting various cultural and material assets from Kyushu, thus we saw the use of these stones as an extension of their efforts.

In the northern lounge area, which boasts expansive views, large wooden sliding doors and removable louvers were installed. These elements not only enhance the tranquility of the space but also provide flexibility for hosting events and other activities.

The eight types of stone used include Toubaru Stone (Fukuoka), Karatsu Stone (Saga), Isahaya Stone (Nagasaki), Higo Stone (Kumamoto), Tensho Stone (Miyazaki), Sakurajima Lava (Kagoshima), Yuki Bungo Stone (Oita), and Ryukyu Stone (Okinawa).