Carlos Pons is a minimalist space located in Pontevedra, Spain, designed by NAN Arquitectos. The combination of steel with warm oak throughout the stands creates a deliberate tension – a conversation between the industrial and the organic that runs through the entire project. These simple blocks, organized with careful restraint, establish a rhythm that guides visitors through the space. The oak surfaces invite touch, warming the steel’s cooler presence and creating surfaces that age gracefully with use.

Most compelling is how the designer has approached the problem of division and flow. The curtains, drawing inspiration from the movement and volume of hair itself, become both functional and metaphorical elements. They cascade through the space with a fluid quality that contrasts with the structured permanence of the rocks and stands. This is where the space achieves its most poetic dimension – the curtains are not mere dividers but dynamic sculptures that transform as they’re reconfigured throughout the day.

The walls, finished in textured mortar, create a neutral backdrop that unifies these diverse elements. Their sober finish complements the steel and wood components while providing a tactile, almost primitive counterpoint to the more refined elements. This layering of materials – from the industrial precision of steel to the natural warmth of oak to the artisanal quality of the mortar – creates a rich material palette that rewards closer inspection.

What makes this environment successful is how it balances seemingly contradictory needs: flexibility with permanence, industrial elements with natural materials, and movement with stability. The resulting space feels both carefully considered and adaptable, allowing for the practical requirements of retail and beauty services while creating a distinctive atmosphere.