Aesop Taipei 101

Situated at the base of the iconic skyscraper, the recently redesigned Aesop Taipei 101 was inspired by the views from atop the soaring tower. Walls clad with sheets of finely ridged steel recall the dense built environment of the surrounding Xinyi district, whose tessellations of corrugated metal can be seen from the observation deck. The interior evokes the flux and churn of the neighbourhood, whose existing features must constantly adapt to the stacking and overlapping that comes with incremental urban growth. The design makes fresh use of the temporary finishings previously installed in the space, regenerating the lightweight and quotidian building supplies. The shelving units have been imagined anew, painted in a palette of warm neutral tones. The room’s focal point is a central unit with glazed basins, where introductions, conversations and product demonstrations can take place.