Aesop retailer in south Seoul is a comfy red-brick retreat

Mlkk Studio used reclaimed crimson bricks to trend the comfortable interiors of this Aesop retailer, which lies behind the intimidating dark-grey facade of a constructing in Seoul.

The 2-floor Aesop retailer – which is longlisted within the 2019 Dezeen Awards –is located south of central Seoul inside a mixed-used growth named Sounds Hannam, which is sort of totally clad in slate-grey bricks.

This grew to become the start line for Hong Kong-based Mlkk Studio, which was eager to design a heat and alluring store inside that will distinction the host constructing’s “chilly” facade.

The studio was additionally hoping that the fabric palette would assist the department seem as a comfy retreat to consumers passing by throughout Seoul’s harsh winters, when temperatures can drop to minus 10 levels.

“It gave an thrilling alternative to do one thing simply the alternative with the identical materials,” the studio defined.

“The selection of fabric additionally creates a dialogue with the structure and effortlessly blends the inside and the outside.”

Reclaimed crimson bricks have thus been laid throughout the ceiling, flooring and partitions of the shop’s floor stage.

Bernard Dubois channels childhood reminiscences into Aesop inside in Brussels

The bricks have additionally been used to type a chunky service counter and the bottom of a sink the place prospects can take a look at skincare merchandise.

“The bricks add color selection and enrich the sense of time and historical past of the area,” added the studio.

Two arched niches have been punctuated in a rear wall the place merchandise are displayed on copper cabinets.

Their curved type is supposed to nod to conventional Korean Mangdaengi kilns, which function domed ceilings.

Chocolate-coloured surfaces and wealthy brown cabinetry seem upstairs on the shop’s second flooring, which accommodates a small lounge, back-of-house space for employees and a therapy room the place facial therapies are provided.

Clients also can choose to loosen up on the shop’s non-public outside terrace that overlooks the encircling metropolis of Hannam.

Mlkk Studio’s workplace is positioned in Hong Kong’s To Kwa Wan neighbourhood and is headed up by architects Mavis Yip Ho Kwan, Lans Ng Sing Lam, Kwanho Li and Kian Yam Hiu Lan.

This is not the primary time that bricks have been utilized in Aesop’s design-focused retail areas.

March of this yr noticed architect Bernard Dubois apply yellow bricks over surfaces within the model’s Brussels department, which is supposed to resemble the brickwork buildings that he noticed all through Belgium in his childhood.

Frida Escobedo additionally stacked slender rammed-earth bricks to type partitions inside Aesop’s Brooklyn retailer.