Róisín Lafferty Blends Functionality with a Deliberate Theatricality

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features a bold beauty salon design by 2025 SBID Awards Finalist, Róisín Lafferty.

Róisín Lafferty was tasked with designing Base & Boon 2.0, a bold reimagining of the salon experience located in the Diplomatic Quarter of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Initiated by two visionary female entrepreneurs, the project expands the Base & Boon brand by introducing a pioneering concept: an inclusive, multifunctional beauty hub where independent therapists across disciplines work side by side. Located within Saudi Arabia’s first Special Economic Zone, the space sets a new standard by combining luxury services with a co-working model that welcomes both male and female professionals and clients, marking a first of its kind in the region.

What was the client’s brief?

The founders of Base & Boon wanted to completely reimagine what a salon could be. Their vision was bold: not only a luxurious beauty destination but also a pioneering co-working hub for independent therapists across hair, nails, skincare and massage. It needed to feel empowering, safe, and inclusive; a true first of its kind in Saudi Arabia. They gave us full creative freedom to design something future facing and immersive, a space that reflected their vibrant brand identity while fostering both individuality and community.

What inspired the design of the project?

The ampersand in the brand’s logo became our guiding motif. It symbolises connection between beauty and business, work and wellness, professionals and clients. That concept informed the architecture: a sculptural central reception cylinder anchors the space, with each treatment zone radiating from it like branches of a journey. This layout allows the salon to unfold in stages, so every guest experiences a sense of discovery. The design blends functionality with a deliberate theatricality; sweeping ombré sheers, concealed doors, and catwalk-like walkways transform everyday treatments into immersive, almost performative moments.

What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?

Managing the build remotely from Dublin while the site was in Riyadh was a huge challenge. Every detail had to meet our exacting standards without us being physically present. To solve this, the main contractor created a series of prototypes; custom junctions, finishes, even gradient effects, which the client could review on site and we could assess over video calls. This process demanded patience and precision, but it ensured that the tactile richness – from polished plaster to tinted Perspex and resin – was executed flawlessly. It pushed all of us to be more collaborative, and ultimately the result feels as considered and crafted as if we had been on site every day.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

There were two standout moments. The first was in the early design stages; pulling together a palette of finishes that felt nothing like a traditional wellness or beauty salon. Bold, vibrant and dramatic, it combined polished steel, glossy tiles and coloured glass to set the tone for a new kind of experience: a collaborative, energetic unisex salon where clients could explore, connect, and create memorable moments. The second highlight was seeing those theatrical elements installed on site; the sweeping ombré curtains, the sculptural reception cylinder, the mirrored catwalk-like walkways. Each required immense collaboration and craftsmanship to perfect, and to watch them go from sketches to reality was incredibly rewarding.

Why did you enter the SBID Awards?

The SBID Awards are a global benchmark for design excellence, and this project felt worthy of that platform. Beauty environments are often overlooked in design conversations, but Base & Boon 2.0 is a world-first typology: a hybrid of luxury salon, co-working hub, and cultural platform. It proves that even highly functional spaces can be bold, immersive, and boundary-pushing.

What has being an Award Finalist meant to you and your business?

It’s a huge honour for our studio. Being shortlisted validates the ambition and hard work that went into delivering such a pioneering project, not just for our team, but for our visionary clients. It’s also opened doors internationally, demonstrating that we can design and deliver innovative, detail-driven environments anywhere in the world. Most of all, it’s given our team immense pride and momentum to keep creating projects that surprise, delight, and redefine expectations.

Questions answered by Róisín Lafferty, Founder and Creative Director of Róisín Lafferty.