Doc’s Barbershop, TaikooLi, Chengdu (October 2018)

The brief was to create a hiatus for the modern man that delivered a high-end, cut and shave barbering experience within an accessible gentleman’s club. Customers would be encouraged to have a cocktail and cut whilst their partners’ luxury shopped next-door.

The design concept was a modern take on the roaring 30’s gentrification by tying classical elements with thoughtfully introduced bold and modern details. The intertwining of masculine details through a lens of soft elegance.

Greeted by a bar on arrival, Doc’s instantly delivers an unexpected high-end aesthetic.  Classic art deco curves and soft leather chairs add to the illusion of entering another era.

Jet Black Belmont Barber chairs are the centrepiece of the barber experience. Every workstation is ergonomically functional, with the Barbers fully aided with everything at the perfect height to and enable them to apply their craft.

The black and white floors tiles are a nod to the classic salon aesthetic and bring a sense of familiarity to the barbershop environment.

Curves are cleverly intertwined in the space from the bar to ceiling, flooring and barber stations, this gives the whole space a continuous soft and elegant feeling of movement.

The logo etched cooper wall brings warmth to the waiting area. Copper and brass elements are continued on and feature in the cabinetry details throughout the space.  These plentiful soft touches create a more refined look to balance the space and much like your Barber show that the utmost care is being taken.

Photography: Mick Ryan