Aesop Vieux-Montreal

The simplicity of the materials belies an inherent beauty, born of their tactile nature and relaxed character.

For Aesop Vieux-Montréal, located on the ground floor of the Harrison-Stephens building in the city’s historic quarter, our in-house Design Department conceived an interior redolent of the area’s industrial roots. The space also reflects the host building’s storied history—a place of residence; boot manufacturer; warehouse for paints, oils and glass; and haberdashery store among its many past lives.

The store’s design assumes a relaxed pragmatism which embraces off-the-shelf construction materials—such as L-shaped steel bars, common bricks and fibre cement board—and a utilitarian aesthetic.

The imperfection of original brickwork and timber is mirrored in the unfinished quality of the material palette. Additions to an otherwise linear layout include a textural waxed canvas curtain and a pair of Fritz Hansen Pelikan side chairs.