Skincare brand Aesop unveils a look at its new Aesop outlet design in London's Knightsbridge area with a spotlight on the 'soap corridor' installation. It is made with uniform tiles that are actually made from bars of soap with a minimal cream hue. The installation is designed by architect Nicolas Schuybroek, creating slabs of soap in a gridded form with slight timber structures to support it all.
It is meant to be disassembled and installed at various locations as it was previously transferred from Milan. Aesop shares, "Just as practitioners of the Arte Povera movement restricted themselves to simple and everyday materials in their poetic compositions, the spatial restriction of the store enforces a streamlined design in the form of a soap corridor."
Image Credit: Alixe Lay
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Modular Retail Installations
- Architecturally flexible designs like the 'soap corridor' installation emphasize the potential for reusable and transportable retail spaces.
- Sustainable Material Innovation
- The use of everyday materials such as bars of soap for construction highlights a growing trend towards sustainability in store design.
- Art-inspired Retail Spaces
- Drawing inspiration from the Arte Povera movement, retail spaces that employ simple, poetic elements can evoke a unique customer experience.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Retail Architecture
- Innovative design approaches using unconventional materials can redefine aesthetics and functionality in retail architecture.
- Sustainable Construction
- Using common, recyclable materials for structural purposes showcases a commitment to environmental consciousness while maintaining aesthetic appeal.
- Experiential Retail
- Creating immersive and artistically inspired store environments can enhance brand storytelling and engage consumers on a deeper level.
