Solaio Bellezza: Modular Salon Suites & Coworking Design

Project Narrative

The Micro-Retail Incubator Model

Solaio Bellezza represents a new typology in commercial leasing: the high-end salon incubator. The design brief required a "plug-and-play" infrastructure that allows beauty professionals to launch independent businesses without the capital overhead of a traditional build-out.

David Stumpf Architecture was tasked with optimizing the floor plate to maximize the unit count of private studios (known as "pods") while avoiding the claustrophobic "corridor effect" typical of salon suite franchises.

Modular Transparency & The "Open Loft"

To achieve density without sacrificing atmosphere, we rejected solid drywall partitions in favor of full-height glass partition systems. This "Open Loft" strategy balances the conflicting needs of privacy and community.

• Visual Connection: The glass walls allow natural light to penetrate deep into the floor plan and enable tenants to showcase their unique branding.

• Acoustic Separation: The pods provide the necessary isolation for client privacy while maintaining a visual link to the communal energy of the central space.

Integrated Systems & Mixed-Use Programming

This facility is more than just partitions; it is a complex integration of mechanical and plumbing infrastructure. Each pod is equipped with high-grade Minerva furnishings, designated washing stations, and specialized lighting systems. Beyond the salon suites, the design activates the remainder of the floor plate with a Coworking Wing and private wellness suites (fitness/massage). This mixed-use approach diversifies the tenant mix, creating a resilient commercial ecosystem where beauty professionals and remote workers coexist.