TOUCHED IN RED
CLIENT
Geetanjali Salon
TYPOLOGY
Salon & Wellness
PROJECT AREA
4925 SQ.FT.
LOCATION
Greater Kailash, New Delhi, India
BRIEF
The brief called for the transformation of an existing three-storey commercial building into a warm, welcoming, and distinctly Indian salon. The client envisioned a space where visitors could spend extended periods of time in comfort, away from the fast-paced nature of the city, while experiencing a seamless journey through a range of beauty and wellness services.
Responding to the fragmented nature of the existing structure, Metanoia Designs developed a spatial strategy organised around movement, thresholds, and material continuity. The salon unfolds as a sequence of interconnected experiences, progressing from social and public functions on the lower level to increasingly private wellness and spa spaces above.
A restrained palette of terracotta surfaces, red travertine, microtopping, and stainless steel establishes a strong architectural identity throughout the project. Recurring framed openings and carefully choreographed circulation routes create moments of reveal and transition, transforming movement through the salon into an integral part of the experience.
Images shot by: Avesh Gaur
Images shot by: Avesh Gaur
Materiality plays a fundamental role in shaping the experience. Inspired by the client's desire for warmth and an Indian sensibility, the interior is enveloped in a rich terracotta palette. The earthy tones draw references from traditional Indian materials and landscapes while creating a sense of comfort and permanence. Rather than being used as an accent, the colour extends across walls, ceilings, and architectural surfaces, allowing the entire interior to read as a continuous carved volume. This monolithic approach strengthens the spatial experience and provides a cohesive identity across all three floors.
To balance the warmth of the terracotta shell, stainless steel is introduced as a secondary material. Appearing in portals, reception elements, styling stations, and architectural frames, the metal acts as a precise intervention within the softer earthen envelope. The juxtaposition of tactile, earthy surfaces with reflective steel creates a dialogue between craft and contemporary refinement, allowing the space to feel simultaneously rooted and forward-looking.
Lighting becomes another critical architectural tool. Given the limited availability of natural light within the deep floor plate, large luminous ceiling panels are integrated throughout the salon. Conceived as contemporary skylights, these elements soften the environment and create an even, flattering illumination essential for salon functions. Their rounded geometry echoes the language of the arches below, reinforcing the project's visual continuity while contributing to a calm and atmospheric environment.
