AESOP NORTH MELBOURNE

2007

‘North Melbourne holds a sophisticated subtlety but also has the fundamentals of the Aesop philosophy at its core with a site-specific response that allows the product to become an active partner in the dance of retail.’

Housed in an exquisite Victorian shop adorned with grand copper-clad framed windows and intricate stained glass above, the host building for this Aesop store required minimal alterations. The walls were painted in a pink hue found in Le Corbusier's Polychromie Architecturale colour book, while the ceiling and facade received a dark grey coating. Three old fountains were repurposed and hung from the wall as hand basins.

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The central display bench appears as a curiosity cabinet — a unique object to peer into — in the form of a stylish walnut archive drawer reclaimed from a local op-shop. This treasured vessel that had once held beautiful items was an ideal fit; however, its size presented a challenge as it wouldn't pass through the window. Melbourne artist Robbie Rowlands was engaged to undertake a special commission: divide the unit in half and craft a sculpture from its top.

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The resulting display was designed to invite interactive functionality by sliding the drawers in and out, below the new glass counter and leaning the products on handmade holders. North Melbourne holds a sophisticated subtlety but also has the fundamentals of the Aesop philosophy at its core with a site-specific response that allows the product to become an active partner in the dance of retail.

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  • RETAIL

  • COMPLETE

  • WURUNDJERI | NORTH MELBOURNE | VICTORIA

  • BUILDER | CBD CONTRACTING

  • AMANDA DE SIMONE