Aesop Hankyu Nishinomiya Gardens

The 92-square metre space occupies a corner site, its façade swathed in rough-cast render of a deep ochre. Bronze glass softens light as it passes from the store’s exterior to realise a sense of serenity and warmth inside.

Aesop Nishinomiya Gardens, situated within the Hankyu retail centre, takes cues from the surrounding local environment and time-honoured Japanese artisanship. Created by our in-house Design Department, the interior is a haven of halcyon tones and rough textures.

It occupies a corner site, the façade swathed in rough-cast render of a deep ochre. Bronze glass softens light as it passes from the exterior to realise a sense of serenity and warmth inside. A natural clay-based render was chosen for the interior walls, and dark brown lime paint applied to the ceiling, lending an intriguing sense of depth.

Upon entry, the eye is drawn to the large curvilinear counter, with inlaid point of sale and bronze demonstration sink, wrapped in the same clay-based render as the walls. Another sink is positioned against the wall, furnishing a second intimate zone for consultations. Product display shelves make further use of bronze, together with Cedar timber—a material traditionally used in sake production.