An Amenable Sensibility – Light Years Skin Studio by Maher Design

Light Years Skin Studio occupies a central street-facing pocket of a handsome landmark heritage building in inner-city Brisbane’s Woolloongabba. As the skin specialists’ second outpost (its first location, also designed by Maher Design, is located on the Gold Coast), it’s a confident expression of the qualities inherent to the brand and an apt maturation of the offering.

The amenable sensibility is apparent upon arrival; the large original bay windows and double doors create an engaging street presence, and passers-by can easily see beyond the minimalist shopfront display. Inside, clever spatial planning makes way for a generous space that be-lies its compact size. Designer Geraldine Maher explains, this “ensures comfortable circulation and reinforces the Light Years ethos of open-ness and approachability.”

As an LED-light skin therapy studio, the functions and particulars of the business formed a large part of the design brief, and these elements have guided the outcome.

As an LED-light skin therapy studio, the functions and particulars of the business formed a large part of the design brief, and these elements have guided the outcome. The retail display, concierge, cleansing station and treatment room joinery are sculpturally integrated, and three treatment pods, which are delineated by sweeping curtains, are individually lit with pendant lights. It’s orderly and minimal, yet this rationality is levelled out nicely with textural materials like cork, timber, heavy linen and Corian in bright shades of cobalt blue, mint green and terracotta.

The feeling here is one of pragmatism and form grounded in Light Years Skin Studio’s defining principles of quality treatment, personal interaction and genuine care. Maher Design’s thoughtful approach ensures this warm, welcoming approach is reflected throughout the experience of the space.