Aesop Retail Design - Winner of the 2015 DIA Commendation Award 'INTERIOR SPACES RETAIL'
'In recognition of outstanding design qualities achieved'
"I was horrified at the thought of Aesop evolving into a soulless chain," he says. "I’ve always imagined what we do as the equivalent of a weighty, gold charm bracelet on the tanned wrist of a glamorous, well-read European woman who has travelled and collected interesting experiences. I felt and still do that it should be possible to grow in a lateral way without prostituting the essence of what the company is about."
-Dennis Paphitis, Aesop founder
Article from dezeen magazine
Presentation board
Inspired by Aesop founder Dennis Paphitis own words, the design philosophy is to evoke a sense of contemporary, quiet luxury, using minimal features combined with clean lines that allows the space to breathe.
With emphasis placed on there purposely being no generic template for an Aesop store, the goal was to design something truly unique and unlike any of the shops surrounding it.
The design was motivated by the fact that Aesop places as much focus and detail on the store, as the product being sold. The store needed to be intriguing and unique, yet still display the necessary traits found in all of Aesop’s global stores. Traits that focused on a specific target audience, yet still remain somewhat gender neutral, thus appealing for others.
Upon the initial glance of a passer by, the entrance draws the viewer’s eyes into the shop through its large uninterrupted view, enticing the curious shopper to enter though one of the two expansive entrance ways which provide a smooth flow in and out of the shop.
Once inside, the high gloss finishes, in combination with the chosen light composition creates a beautiful shadow play, with generous ceiling height adding to the sense of space. Upon glancing up, the shopper will notice the intriguing bespoke design ceiling installation, inspired and resembling the appearance of a squeezed Aesop tube, creating beautiful shapes and patterns reflected from the high gloss finishes below.
Custom made circular shelving seen on the sidewalls purposely interrupts the otherwise clean lines, lit up with settled LED backlights to create a gentle, yet dramatic effect.
The central floor area provides the opportunity for the customer to sample the various products on display through a testing and wash station. With high gloss circular stools that mimic the circular shelving surrounding benches covered with an array of tester bottles.
The choice of colours used throughout the store finds its inspiration from the Aesop product design, drawing from its monochrome scheme of blacks and whites. Keeping to this minimal palate adheres to the design philosophy whilst still providing a visually striking and aesthetically pleasing space.
The use of Materials has been carefully selected, utilising high quality products such as New York marble with its stunning gloss finish, in combination with a burnished steel façade that wraps the shop front from floor to ceiling with strong effect and white highly polished concrete flooring providing a ice like reflection of the shop above it.
Exterior view
Interior view
Minimal retail design with a sense of quiet luxury. Light compositons combined with shapes and patterns creates a beautiful shadow play throughout the space.
Model
Model - Exterior view
Model - top view
