Imbued with simple, natural materials and a subtle palette, Germany’s latest Aesop store has opened in Hamburg. Designed by Vincent Van Duysen Architects in collaboration with .PSLAB, the interior is informed by the building’s status as a protected historic site, and the vibrant yet elegant nature of the neighborhood.

The walls and ceiling inside the 112-square meter space have been stripped back to their original state and clad in pale, roughly textured plaster. a sink made from solid bluestone stands at the center of the volume, conceived as a sculptural element evocative of ancient heeling fountains. corresponding to the needs of the retail displays, directional metal halide down lights are aligned to provide suitable gradients of illumination. 

Two pendant lamps, designed by Vincent Van Duysen and developed by .PSLAB, are positioned above the counters providing flexible and warm ambient light. the fixtures are a rappel of the display shelves, crafted from untreated european oak and blackened steel – the latter referencing the store’s original cast-iron facade.