Skip To Main Content
Issue 62 - Living in the Environment Issue

Issue 62

Living in the Environment Issue

Issue 62 is the first issue of the year and always a great time to put our best foot forward. With Adam Goodrum, the loveliest man in design, as Guest Editor, we draw on his insights as a furniture designer, artist and educator to look at the makers shaping our design world. Sustainability has never been more important, and increasingly this is a consideration from the start with projects designed to address their immediate environment as well as the longevity of the planet. From the coldest winters to the most tropical of summers, addressing how we live in the environment is crucial to creating the perfect home.

Order Issue

A Product of

Aēsop And Snøhetta In Sydney’s CBD
ShopsHolly Cunneen

Aēsop And Snøhetta In Sydney’s CBD

Australia

For five minutes or 15, Aēsop’s new store on Pitt Street in Sydney’s CBD is designed by Snøhetta to be everything to every body.


The cautionary tale jack-of-all-trades master of none need not apply here. For Aēsop’s newly unveiled store street facing on Sydney’s bustling Pitt Street shopping strip, the team has collaborated once again with Norwegian design practice Snøhetta. The resulting space caters to time conscious city workers on their lunch break, fans of the cult skincare brand with time to learn more, and to weekend browsers that delight to discover alike.

At 250 square metres, this is Aēsop’s largest store globally. Long and narrow, the journey from the front of the store to the back is a carefully constructed narrative that Aēsop and Snøhetta conjointly developed. The bulk of the product display, including the standalone testing basins, is at the front of the store. As you progress there is an open space that during business hours offers breathing space and reprieve, while out of hours it offers a breakout space for in store events. Along the sidewall in the third quarter of the store there are three stand-alone vanities for special treatments and finally along the back wall – to mirror the front – there is seating in the form of an amphitheatre that protrudes from the wall in one continuous motion.

Although this store marks a new direction for Aēsop now entering its fourth decade, it does continue Aēsop’s known preference of working with materials, practices and people local or unique to each location. A monumental granite structure characterises the interior walls of the store, referencing the City of Sydney’s heavy use of the strong and durable material. A local stonemason has scored the walls with a bridge-saw, developing consistent horizontal ridges throughout the store. The ridged granite continues outwards to the shop façade, in contrast with the building’s sandstone make up.

Polished concrete floors and stainless steel – by way of the testing basin, point of sale, and vanities – enhance the atmosphere of the store.

In the face of a constantly evolving retail environment and consumer profiles, Aēsop remains consistent in its dedication and appreciation of meticulously considered design and cross disciplinary collaboration.

Aēsop
aesop.com

Snøhetta
snohetta.com

Photography courtesy Aēsop

We think you might also like Not Just A Shop by Yatofu Creatives


About the Author

Holly Cunneen

Tags

AesopgranitePitt Street MallRetail Architectureretail designSandstoneSkincareSnøhetta


Related Projects
Issue 62 - Living in the Environment Issue

Issue 62

Living in the Environment Issue

Issue 62 is the first issue of the year and always a great time to put our best foot forward. With Adam Goodrum, the loveliest man in design, as Guest Editor, we draw on his insights as a furniture designer, artist and educator to look at the makers shaping our design world. Sustainability has never been more important, and increasingly this is a consideration from the start with projects designed to address their immediate environment as well as the longevity of the planet. From the coldest winters to the most tropical of summers, addressing how we live in the environment is crucial to creating the perfect home.

Order Issue