Aesop Mount Gravatt

In from the great outdoors

The design of our store in Brisbane’s southern suburb—land whose traditional custodians are the Turrbal and Jagera peoples—responds to the diverse landscapes found across Queensland. Anchored in natural materials, it is imagined as a place of sanctuary, akin to a calming shelter among one of the state’s rainforests, rocky shores or arid deserts.

A sense of protection and separation is evoked from the entrance, with a soft-textured brown curtain drawn across the window of the store. The same warm hue is employed throughout the space, echoed in wooden shelving and cork tiling that covers the floors and basins. Articulated walls are coated in the same russet shade, with a matte, mineral-finish paint.

The space has divides and partitions, reminiscent of architectural techniques that promote ventilation to offer cooling respite in sunny climates. In the same vein, the high ceilings recall exaggerated eaves that protect from extreme weather like scorching heat or hammering rain.

A generous bench towards the back of the store adds to the overall sense of quietude—away from the bustling retail centre.