Aesop Canberra

by Kerstin Thompson Architects

From The Architect

Aesop Canberra is an urbane addition to the recently renovated Canberra Centre. In a city influenced strongly by its seasons – with extremes of summer heat and winter chill – the design draws inspiration from a refined gentleman’s suit, utilising felt and black steel to conjure a cool sense of working style. Steel-framed display units with Black Japan ply shelves showcase Aesop’s signature uniform amber packaging.

A perforated steel screen creates a threshold between the interior and the mall. During business hours the screen slides to reveal an open front, inviting visitors into the store to pause for a moment of reprieve on the leather bench seat at the entry before moving into the felt-wrapped space.