Aesop Collins Street by Clare Cousins Architects.

Created in tandem with Clare Cousins Architects, the design of Aesop’s second Collins Street incarnation draws on qualities of civic architecture. Inspired by the State Library of Victoria—found only a few blocks away—the store unfolds as a series of classical references, robust materials and careful craftsmanship.

Stepping off from the wide Melbourne boulevard, patrons are met with a high vaulted ceiling coated in a grainy surface of salvaged and crushed Aesop bottles mixed with render. Australian Blackbutt timber wraps the curved perimeter of the store—on one side, amber vessels stand in for books on generous shelves; on the other, timber-shrouded individual basins with low lighting are reminiscent of writing desks.

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On comfortable chairs, visitors are invited to leaf through the Aesop Book, or relax while waiting. A fragrance wardrobe allows customers to imbue a piece of clothing with their aroma of choice, taking an olfactory memento of the experience into the outside world.

At the centre of the room, two travertine monoliths provide further an opportunity to try Aesop’s formulations. Travertine off-cuts are used for flooring as Palladiana terrazzo–large stone slabs that are reimagined as a unique floor surface. In this considered environment, trained consultants offer the Aesop touch with advice and suggestions for products best suited to people’s individual needs.

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[Images courtesy of Clare Cousins Architects. Photography by Peter Bennetts.]