Aesop, the Australian purveyor of high-end skincare and lifestyle products, continues its ambitious expansion into Greater China with the inauguration of new boutiques in Langham Place, Hong Kong, and at Galaxy Macau in Macau.
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In Aesop’s third establishment within Galaxy Macau, the brand’s in-house architects drew inspiration from the rich tapestry of the city’s streets—imbued with historical narratives of their names, distinctive trades, and architectural marvels.
Inspired by the allure of Rua dos Faitiões, formerly known as ‘Rice Street,’ a thoroughfare once adorned with rice stores that sustained the local populace in the 1960s and 70s, the designers sought to encapsulate the essence of these bygone small businesses.
Reflecting a nostalgia for the erstwhile wooden rice barrels that were emblematic of these establishments, Aesop’s space at Galaxy Macau is enveloped in walnut timber cabinetry and acoustic felt in earthy tones, adorned with rounded corners and soaring curves that ascend to the ceiling.
Central to the room’s allure are four bronze basins, beckoning visitors to explore Aesop’s formulations.
Meanwhile, in the bustling district of Mongkok in Hong Kong, Aesop Langham Place exudes a sense of playfulness and sophistication.
Plywood emerges as the primary material for its warmth, adaptability, and minimal carbon footprint, woven into a thought-provoking assemblage that defies conventional design norms.
Collaborating with a local carpenter and wall painter, the team incorporated indigenous wood chips—often overlooked as waste material—into a textured wall and ceiling application, offering acoustic solace to the bustling urban milieu.
Within this inviting setting, visitors find respite, exploring Aesop’s extensive product line.
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Outside, the store’s façade presents a mosaic of plywood panels, a whimsical beckoning to inquisitive passersby. Inside, the space is delineated into two zones—a quartet of ceramic basins nestled within a timber framework facilitating a sensory engagement with Aesop’s offerings, and a second zone evoking the comforts of home.