Interior renovation for international skincare brand, Aesop. Situated among the parks and homes of the Lincoln Park neighborhood, it pays homage to a piece of furniture originally designed by the architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe for his daughter. Exploring dichotomies between natural and manufactured materials, the interior alternates between organic and rigid forms. A parameter of rich Walnut timber spans the 752-square foot space, while a minimalist framework of steel shelving creates a rhythmic structural order of line and void. Within the concrete aggregate flooring, soft-hued stones lend a sense of envelopment, like a mass of sand that has swallowed beach chairs and valuables whole. The smooth and machined blend with the natural and rough throughout, and there is the ever-present possibility of discovering a deity in the detail.

 

Client

Aesop

Location

1653 N Damen Ave., Chicago, Illinois, USA

Years

2017-2018

Area

940 ft² / 87 m²

Project Team

Thomas Kelley, Carrie Norman, Isabelle Reford

Consultant Team

Architect of Record: Range Design; MEP: Calor Design; Millwork: Navillus Woodworks; Lighting: Quinn Murph

Construction Team

General Contractor: Oslo Builders

Photography

Courtesy of Aesop