Aesop Berlin Store by Weiss—heiten

Weiss—heiten have designed the first signature store in Germany for Australian skin care brand, Aesop. The store recently opened on Alte Schönhauser Street in Berlin, Mitte. Reflecting Aesop‘s approach to build unique site-specific stores that reflect local qualities, Weiss—heiten explored the unique character of Berlin, it’s tension between the contrast of old and new, roughness and beauty, urban and nature. Inspired by Gerhard Richter’s colour studies and monochromatic canvases and by the city’s industrial history and everyday charm, the interior assumes a palette of leaf-green and a quietly clinical aesthetic.

Handmade raw concrete tiles cover the walls and floor. Under the sea of green tiles, a near-invisible raw steel structure shows through. Small imperfect details are revealed – corners and raw edges of concrete and steel. Aged sinks salvaged from a 1950s farm tether the heritage-listed building to its previous life as an early twentieth-century dairy store. German oak and ferns provide subtle contrasting accents creating a seductive, strong and humanistic space.

We were lucky to have had a quick e-chat to the designers about this project. Please read on for a Q&A below.

More Awesome Aesop on Yellowtrace.

+ What was your design inspiration for this project – i.e was it a result of client’s brief, a particular concept or an idea etc?

It was all three, the clients brief, a particular concept and an idea. The brief was formed through an open dialogue with Dennis, sending each other movies about Berlin (such as Sinfonie der Großstadt), art and literature to find inspiration for the first ideas.
One concept was to create a space that combines the clarity of industrial atmosphere, with the strength of historical materials presented with ease and patina. Another idea was to give Berlin an exotic oasis (especially during Berlin winter) that invites people to dive into a wonderful, mystical, yet unknown world – the world of Aesop and how we see it. This found it’s formal conclusion while hiking on the “Monte Verita” in Ticcino, Italy this summer. You have to experience this magic place, there is a very unique energy, a mysterious landscape. We found a clearing in the forest that completely inspired us, the ferns and leaves of the trees appeared in different shades of green, the play of the evening sun created tender spots of light. We wanted to share this experience with Aesop customers in Berlin by creating a similar atmosphere in the store: clear, inviting, seductive, strong and human.

+ Your favourite thing about this project?

Besides the joy of watching an interior grow and come to life, we met some wonderful people throughout the project. We love to work with visionary people, because they have an understanding of what we do and how we think. The collaboration with Aesop was an inspiring collaboration, full of respect and appreciation.

+ What was the most challenging aspect?

Dealing with the European Summer break in the middle of the project – many companies closed their doors for one month in August, and suddenly, they were gone… and we had to go on with schedule. But, as always, everything worked out at the end!

+ What did you learn during the project?

If you share a dream with your team, it’s an incredible joy to see it come to life.

+ Would you have done anything differently?

Every project happens in a different context with challenges of time schedules, delivery delays, etc. What can always be done in a better way are the small things which can make the project go more smoothly. We never stop thinking about how to improve ourselves and the work we do. That’s part of our nature.

+ Any interesting/ funny/ quirky facts you could tell us?

One evening we were standing outside the store, discussing some details on the façade. The shop window was covered with a white wash, so you could not see through, however Aesop’s logo was was already there. Two shop assistants, working next door at Marimekko, almost fell off their bikes riding past discovering the new neighbour on Alte Schönhauser Straße. They screamed, full of excitement – it was great to see the joy it brings.

More Awesome Aesop on Yellowtrace.