London‘s retail landscape is one of the planet’s most dynamic, and especially for brands operating in the upper segment a physical presence is most relevant given the city’s international global stature. Although Aesop has been present in the British capital with a string of standalone stores, it has found room for further growth, opening a new outlet at Westfield mall in the Shepherd’s Bush area. In its first collaboration with Al-Jawad Pike, an architecture practice based in London, the latter has created a minimalist oasis inspired by the idea of a walled garden, referencing the undulating brickwork of Urugayan engineer Eladio Dieste (1917-2000) along the way. The precast bricks have been specially made, using red sandstone powder to create a warm terracotta effect, and are paired with with concrete-tile flooring and a clay plaster ceiling in a matching hue. Furnishings and fixtures are sparse, comprising of merely of two chunky custom-made resin sinks and a sales counter by Rotterdam-based designer Sabine Marcelis and sleek aluminum shelving. The new Aesop store carries the brand’s full range of skin, hair and body products, fragrances and scented candles.