A pale red-coloured central column with its proportionally-distributed arches dominates the new store of Aesop, which has recently been completed by Snøhetta in Chelsea, London. The 108-square-metre retail space - dubbed Aesop Duke of York Square - attracts the visitors' eyes with its large central columns and subdivisions, was designed to create "a futures space"added to Aesop's series of uniquely designed boutiques around the world.

Situated in Chelsea, London, the small boutique is the first project of Snøhetta built in England. Inspired by the contextual relevance of the location combined with an influence of futuristic elements, the studio creates a characterised interior by using classic archetypes with a pale red color palette, and stainless-steel elements.

"An existing column is used as the starting point for the store’s layout. From this centralized column, 12 arches stretch towards the perimeter walls. This series of arches function as a key element in creating a sense of organizational hierarchy, establishing visual separators within the space," said Snøhetta.

"The arches are clad in a clay based plaster with a subtle gradient color, ranging from a lighter base to a darker shade. Illumination from between the arches further emphasizes the gradient effect," added the firm.

"Expanding out from the centralized column, a sink in a circular shape establishes itself as the natural meeting point of the store. The sink, which is an integral part of all Aesop’s stores, appears as a hovering water mirror reflecting the light and colors of the ceiling."

The sink, becoming a focal element at the centre, is made from polished stainless steel and glass fiber, while simultaneously allowing for an optimized flow of people within the space.

The studio clads all walls, ceiling, and arches with a pink-pigmented clay based plaster, giving the space a royal rose-color. The clay plaster is delivered by Clayworks, and sourced from South West counties of England. This simple and clear color palette is contrasted by extensive use of steel in the other custom elements of the store.

Creating contrast through the rough surfaces of the walls against the soft, polished expression of the clear stainless-steel shapes, the play with color gradients, as well as the changes in light throughout the space, are all emphasized as a sense of depth to the design. The studio combines the traditional arches with futuristic elements such as the sink, the design aims to trigger customer’s sense of curiosity.

Aesop Duke of York Square is the seventh Aesop store designed by Snøhetta. Other stores include Aesop Prinsens Gate (Oslo), Aesop Homansbyen (Oslo), Aesop Grabenstraße (Düsseldorf), Aesop Fasanenstraße (Berlin), Aesop ION (Singapore), and Aesop Raffles City (Singapore).

Snøhetta recently released plans to overhaul the 1980’s postmodern tower by Philip Johnson and designed with John Burgee in 1984, but the studio's plans were protested by the architectural community to a large extent. 

All images © Paola Pansini

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