Aesop Eslite Nanxi

A tribute to type

Old and new coexist harmoniously in the neighbourhood of Nanxi. In their initial explorations of the area, our longstanding collaborators MLKK encountered a type foundry that has been in operation since 1969. Uncle Cheung, the owner, is the only master in Taiwan still perpetuating the craft of traditional Chinese type-casting for printing. For the design of our second incarnation within the Eslite Nanxi department store, MLKK’s architects were inspired by Uncle Cheung’s workspace, which features a desk light that helps him focus on the careful manipulation of the metal, slanted shelves displaying the finished type blocks, and a general abundance of lead, antimony and tin.

MLKK adopted these same elements in the creation of a striking lamp shade that illuminates the central basins, where customers can explore our range of formulations for the skin, hair and body with running water. Countering the coolness of the metal and mimicking the material and inclined form of the shelves in the foundry, timber was selected for joinery—on it, amber bottles are arranged as neatly as small stamps of letters and numbers. Those wishing to delve into our world of unconventional Eaux de Parfum can step into the recessed alcove, where a Fragrance Armoire awaits. On the sofa, guests can contemplate further olfactory possibilities by leisurely browsing through aromas for the home, or discuss any personal skin care requirements with knowledgeable consultants.