Following outposts in Shanghai and Beijing, Aesop accelerates its retail expansion in mainland China, opening another outpost in Hangzhou. The Australian cosmetics brand has secured a lofty 224 sqm. (2,411 sq.ft.) unit on the ground floor of Hangzhou MixC, arguably the city’s leading high-end shopping centre in the riverside Jianggan district. The interior design, created by atelier suasua, an architecture practice based in Beijing, is inspired by Hangzhou’s many historic stone bridge, interpreting the structures as symbols of connection and communication, equality and spaciousness. The design theme is evident when shoppers enter the retail space and are met by a large basin, obviously crafted from stone, situated at the very centre. Interestingly, the stone material has been sourced from Zhuji, the very same region which provided the building blocks for all of the city’s bridges. The Aesop store sees the material in many different forms, from the aforementioned basin and displays, to the cobbled flooring and furnishings. The curved wall panels, shelving and wall-mounted fragrance cabinet all come in hue which matches the stone material.

A spiral staircase with curved walls, which sits behind the basin, was left by the previous tenant and has been retained and is now home to a semi-secluded washroom area. The design also takes cues from the city’s storied history in product manufacturing, and specifically Yuhang oil paper umbrellas, which have a history of 250 years. Traditional local oil paper hangs from the ceiling layer by layer, and the light spreads from it, creating a modern form for the traditional material. The wind from the air conditioners on both sides gently blows onto the paper, and the paper slowly sways forming a ripple like the surface of the lake. In the living area at the back of the space, a 2-metre diameter oil paper umbrella made by a traditional craftsman from the city’s Yuhang district has been turned into a luminaire. To balance out the austerity of the stone stone material and matching colour palette, bamboo accents have been implemented in the design. The new Aesop store stocks the brand’s full range face, body and hair care products, in addition to fragrances and home products. © superfuture