Salon Nouveau

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Salon Nouveau, an Aveda Salon and Spa founded over 25 years ago in South Bend, Indiana, was looking to expand into its third location and looked to the then in-construction historic Hibberd Building renovation in downtown South Bend, as an ideal location for expansion. Being the only Aveda Lifestyle Salon and Spa (as well as the only full-service salon) in the greater downtown area, the client looked to capitalize on the opportunities afforded by the historic Hibberd Building to provide a truly unique and client-focused boutique salon. The mission of Salon Nouveau is global harmony — caring for the earth and the life around us and as such Shive-Hattery was tasked with creating a space that aligned with these shared beliefs and nurtured the well-being of both salon guests and the growth of their own in-house team.

The new Salon Nouveau location is spread over two levels, with all public services located at ground level, and employee back-of-house areas located on the lower level. The design team sough to take advantage of any and all original finishes deemed salvageable in the overall building renovation, including refinishing the existing terrazzo floors, exposed brick walls, and high, open ceilings. In addition, the design team was directed to incorporate salvaged and recycled materials, including reclaimed local barnwood siding as both wall and shelving material, custom light fixtures constructed with recycled glass bottles, and locally sourced and constructed styling stations. Large expanses of new full-height glazing wrap two sides of the ground level, flooding the space with natural light, and visually opening-up the compact 1,200 SF ground level space. This ground level space is divided between a six station hair styling area, color bar, massage room, and generous waiting area. Finishes were chosen to respect the Salon Nouveau commitment to sustainability, and to espouse their love for fashion, beauty, and wellness.

The mission at Aveda is to care for the world we live in, from the products they make to the ways in which they give back to society. They strive to set an example of environmental leadership and responsibility, not just in the world of beauty, but around the world. The new downtown location of Salon Nouveau seeks to honor this mission both architecturally and spiritually, providing a warm, welcoming, and sustainable environment from which to continue to both inspire and nurture the community they call home.