Aesop

Aesop Bath

Aesop Bath, 16 New Bond St

Aesop are a brand known for their respectful, considered and site specific approach to interior Architecture. Each space is meticulously developed, paying close attention to materiality, context, scale and the user’s journey whilst respecting rigidly defined requirements for the stores operation and presentation of product. The result is a retail Architect’s dream, where each store is no longer a subtle variation of the space before, rather a fresh step into solving a unique design question with a distinct answer.

101 Architecture+Design’s director originally being from the South-West took the lead on this project. “The wonderful opportunity arose to partner with James Plumb Studios, an award winning multidisciplinary team. Building upon the success of the critically acclaimed ‘Lamb’s Conduit Street Boutique’ in London, James Plumb studios developed a complimentary sister store to the contemplative, meditative darkened space of Lamb’s with an honest, soft, light, open, simpler journey. A self imposed restrictive palette of tones, materials and finishes left no where to hide when it came to the designs implementation. With a meticulously researched celebration of Bath’s heritage and architectural detailing, we knew that this space would be the jewel of Bath’s historic shopping district”

It was 101 Architecture+Design’s mission to ensure that the studios vision was achieved. Having carried out multiple retail projects in Listed Buildings, within the World Heritage Site - Bath, The team at 101 knew the importance of ensuring an unwavering attention to detailing and the priority of quality, honesty and commitment to this space. Local contractors are a preference for the brand, and after meeting with the team at Flying Pig, we knew our expectations of the contractor could be met with the right support. The programming of the store’s build had little to no option to run over, lead by the stores new team desire to fully establish themselves as part of the community long before the lead up to Christmas.

The exposure of the perimeter walls ashlar blocks, seen behind the point of sale are robust in scale sitting proudly. Heavily worn, chipped, drilled, scraped and torn provide the user a glimpse into the long history of the space. The 2 sinks could represent the design response to these stones’ presence. Large sawn soft ashlar blocks are carefully tooled to reveal a unique space to clean hands, held carefully in place by aged, blackened steel or bricks covered in thick render - an extension to the softly curved structural walls.

Responsibilities: Historic Research, Contract Management, Cost Management, Planning including Listed building Consent, Supplier Procurement, Program Control, Coordination of S.O.D (Schedule of Dilapidation) Designers role under CDM regulations. Quality Control, Project Management, Architectural Drawings, Specification Development.

Project Value: Confidential.
Planning and procurement: 6 months.
Construction: 6 weeks.
Space: 140m2 (4 Floors)
Designer: The Studio of James Russel and Hannah Plumb: https://jamesplumb.co.uk
Contractor: Flying Pig Renovation Company. http://www.flyingpiginbath.co.uk

Aesop Piccadilly Arcade

Aesop Piccadilly Arcade, London

Aēsop drives a new standard for Interior Architecture within the contemporary retail offerings, encompassing thoughtful curated spaces and sitting softly within their context whilst injecting intellectualism, artistic endeavour and culture into each environment. 101 Architecture+Design continue our close partnership as sole local Architectural Designers and Project Managers for the retailer’s more complex pursuits, this project being the 4th. Taking on a project with this complexity required specialist local knowledge.

Aesop Coal Drops Yard

Aesop Coal Drops Yard, London

Aesop are a brand known for their respectful, considered and site specific approach to interior Architecture. Each space is meticulously developed, paying close attention to materiality, context, scale and the user’s journey whilst respecting rigidly defined requirements for the stores operation and presentation of product. The result is a retail Architect’s dream, where each store is no longer a subtle variation of the space before, rather a fresh step into solving a unique design question with a distinct answer.

Aesop Harrods Knightsbridge

Aesop Harrods, Knightsbridge, London

Aesops long established interior architectural style hold’s a mirror to lesser retail brands with diluted identity and style. Satisfying the vision of a brand as unique as this was a challenge, successfully completed by bringing together designers from Germany, millworkers from Italy, key client stakeholders from France and local specialists from the United Kingdom, working collaboratively throughout. 101 A+D worked alongside the Harrods Architecture team from initial conception through to completion.