Aesop enlisted Japanese-born, Melbourne-based architect Zenta Tanaka to create their 5th Sydney store, situated in a new luxury retail precinct in Bondi Beach.

Tanaka took inspiration from the store’s seaside surroundings for the project, a small but soothing space offering calm and respite from the hustle and bustle of the outside.

In contrast to Aesop’s other stores, where the design tends to be quite linear, Tanaka’s store has bends, curves and anomalities – such as dips in the floor and boulders in the walls.

“Dips in the landscape can be beautiful,” Tanaka says. “They’re where things might change and grow.”

Natural materials and exposed fittings bring a rawness to the interior. 150-year old wharf timber sourced from Geelong is contrasted by a smooth marble countertop.

“Combining mature wood, marbles and varying textures lends a sense of relaxed character and calmness to the space,” Tanaka explains.

“The store is full of discoveries,” says Aesop Creative Manager Hiroko Shiratori.

“It has very different unique elements, from the wharf timber to the counter; found elements, some antique objects and some brand new.”

The result is a calming and relaxing space for the senses that begs to be experienced and explored.

Aesop
aesop.net.au