In the vibrant city of Los Angeles, the Aesop Palisades Village store, designed by Odami, emerges as a testament to harmonizing architecture with the natural environment. This 2022 project, in collaboration with WORD Design x Architecture and Precise Contractor Inc., presents a captivating synthesis of natural inspiration and local architectural influences.

Sculpting Nature: Ray Kappe’s Influence

At the heart of Aesop Palisades Village lies a profound connection to nature, drawing inspiration from the surrounding landscape and the architectural legacy of Ray Kappe. The local buildings, delicately nestled within the lush terrain of ridges and valleys, served as a crucial reference point for Odami’s vision.

Palette of Green Tones: Earthy Elegance Unveiled

The store’s essence is grounded in a rich palette of fresh green tones, echoing the verdant context that defines its surroundings. Microcement blankets the walls, ceiling, and floors, enveloping the space in a tactile, earthy ambiance. This meticulous choice of materials establishes a seamless integration with the natural environment.

Textured Tapestry: Microcement Mastery

The microcement, meticulously applied, contributes to the store’s highly textured finish, offering a visual and tactile experience to visitors. A velvet curtain gracefully conceals inventory storage and utility rooms at the back, adding a layer of mystery to the space while intensifying the interplay of light and shadow.

Horizontal Harmony: Reclaimed Wood and Stainless Steel

Storage and display components, ingeniously integrated into the landscape, take the form of long horizontal planes. Crafted from either reclaimed wood or stainless steel, these elements create a delicate dance between levity and mass, seamlessly blending functionality with aesthetic appeal.

Nature-Inspired Nexus: Skylight Illuminating the Interior Garden

An ingenious introduction of a skylight serves as a conduit for natural light, illuminating a captivating interior garden—the focal point of the store. Encircling this green sanctuary, a bench, product displays, and a consultation sink seamlessly coexist among the foliage, blurring the boundaries between the interior and the exterior.

Biophilic Bliss: Elevating the Ritual of Self-Care

Collectively, the design narrative for Aesop Palisades Village is a homage to biophilic principles, transcending conventional retail spaces. Through meticulous attention to detail and a deep reverence for nature, Odami has elevated the act of self-care into a ritualistic experience, where every element serves as a conduit to the soothing embrace of the natural world.