The new Aesop fit-out in Sheung Wan is a heedful nod to the local vernacular.
April 26th, 2011
Following on the heels of its Paris and Tokyo store openings late last year, cosmetics brand Aesop began 2011 with the launch of its Hong Kong store in the island’s western district of Sheung Wan.
Much deliberation goes into the brand’s choice of location and the Sheung Wan neighbourhood was selected for its compelling mix of old and new, where traditional businesses and buildings of historical relevance coexist with creative modern retailers.
Multidisciplinary studio Russell & George was chosen for the project, given their knack for incorporating local resources and design vernacular. Ryan Russell of Russell & George had previously designed other award-winning retail spaces for Aesop.
As in every one of Aesop’s stores, the aim has been to add to, rather than detract from, the existing built environment, taking into account the characteristics of the neighbourhood and the type of outlets which share the street.
The store’s most striking design element is the bamboo cladded facade, which continues inwards in the form of repeated rows of compressed bamboo shelving, juxtaposed against raw concrete floors.
“As the store sits adjacent to an open public garden we had an opportunity to directly relate the facade and subsequent interior of the store to the wider context,” says Russell. The choice of bamboo, he adds, also establishes “a dialogue about sustainability”.
Graphically, forms and compositions in the interior – be it lighting or custom built elements – are inspired by “abstractions of static images of light created by moving traffic, people and the Hong Kong night time cityscape” says Russell, which ultimately achieves “a sense of motion through stillness” within the space.
Aesop is set to open more stores in Australia, New York, Paris and London.
Aesop
aesop.com
A searchable and comprehensive guide for specifying leading products and their suppliers
Keep up to date with the latest and greatest from our industry BFF's!
The Sub-Zero Wolf showrooms in Sydney and Melbourne provide a creative experience unlike any other. Now showcasing all-new product ranges, the showrooms present a unique perspective on the future of kitchens, homes and lifestyles.
Suitable for applications ranging from schools and retail outlets to computer rooms and X-ray suites, Palettone comes in two varieties and a choice of more than fifty colours.
Create a configuration to suit your needs with this curved collection.
Channelling the enchanting ambience of the Caffè Greco in Rome, Budapest’s historic Gerbeaud, and Grossi Florentino in Melbourne, Ross Didier’s new collection evokes the designer’s affinity for café experience, while delivering refined seating for contemporary hospitality interiors.
Zorro combines function with beautiful design. Its diagonal profile means that Zorro can be mounted on shorter posts to give cleaner lines in the workspace. This design also allows Zorro a wider range of horizontal movement of up to 460mm. The innovative ball joint gives the user full control over the screen angle to increase […]
Wutopia Lab dissolves the original architecture of this site to create a “nouveau experience” known as magical realism. Prepare to be carried away.
The internet never sleeps! Here's the stuff you might have missed
Suitable for applications ranging from schools and retail outlets to computer rooms and X-ray suites, Palettone comes in two varieties and a choice of more than fifty colours.
Salone del Mobile 2024 is only a few weeks away, so we’re highlighting here seven special events, spaces and installations that we’re certainly planning to check out.
Boasting unmatched cooking and food preservation capabilities, Sub-Zero and Wolf enable designers to set a new standard for kitchen design, and inspire a higher quality of culinary experience.
Welcome to the year of the Design Effect. This year’s theme aims to showcase the profound ripple effects that exceptional design can have on people, place and planet. Join in shaping this narrative by contributing your perspective before May 3, 2024, and become a part of the Design Effect movement.