Aesop’s second incarnation in Hayes Valley, San Francisco—at the same location, only a little larger—is a meditation on continuity. Originally constructed in 2019, the store had been characterised by its grey and ivory hues—reminiscent of the city’s fog—and a large, curved shelf that seemed to cradle the site. After five years of steady use, some of the elements were weary, and the small footprint was proving insufficient. In keeping with the mood of the first design, Aesop’s in-house architects re-employed varying foggy tones—this time in soft surfaces, stained plywood, and wool—across an expanded area. They reused the soapstone basins from the first iteration, which anchor the space not only in mass but also through time.
With longevity in mind, the joinery was designed to come together mechanically, using the minimum possible number of screws. Plywood volumes—their birch veneer washed in white, the timber grain a ghostly pattern almost obscured—are held by intersecting plywood planks with exposed edges. This language echoes and reinterprets that of the previous shelving system, a nod of respect to Aesop’s earlier designers. At the duet of basins, visitors can explore the brand’s range of formulations for the skin, hair and body with flowing water, while fragrances for the self and home beckon to curious noses from the peripheral shelves. Underfoot, the carpet is reminiscent of the sky on an overcast day; at hand, the countertops are covered in an innovative paper-based material whose textured touch could rouse one from any hazy reverie. Deft consultants are available to clear up any residual cloudiness and recommend products best suited to individual needs.