{"id":1303,"date":"2025-08-28T08:30:58","date_gmt":"2025-08-28T08:30:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.scientificmediagroup.com\/?p=1303"},"modified":"2025-10-02T16:23:00","modified_gmt":"2025-10-02T16:23:00","slug":"aesop-illuminates-cave-like-hainan-store-with-ceiling-oculi-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.scientificmediagroup.com\/index.php\/2025\/08\/28\/aesop-illuminates-cave-like-hainan-store-with-ceiling-oculi-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Aesop illuminates cave-like Hainan store with ceiling oculi"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Aesop<\/div>\n

Skincare brand Aesop<\/a>‘s first store in Hainan Island, China<\/a>, was designed to evoke an underwater cave and features oculi decorated with an algae<\/a>-based film.<\/span><\/p>\n

Located within the Haitang Bay Duty Free Shopping Complex in Sanya<\/a> on Hainan Island, the new store was designed by Aesop<\/a>‘s in-house team and draws inspiration from the ocean.<\/p>\n

\"Aesop
The store is located within a duty-free shopping complex in Sanya, China<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“The space is articulated by the compression and expansion of massive proportions, a strong datum, and enormous ceiling oculi that make one feel as if they were immersed in a deep ocean cave, looking up at the wavering light,” the brand said.<\/p>\n

Curved lines frame the entrance of the store, transporting customers into a more intimate space from the open shopping complex. A round niche was designed to reference the porthole of a submarine, in another nod to deep-ocean environments.<\/p>\n

\"Aesop
The pillar at the front of the store is wrapped in algae-based bioplastic<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Algae inspired the design of the store, and the material was also used to create lighting installations<\/a> suspended from the two ceiling oculi, which were designed to resemble underwater cave entrances.<\/p>\n

The larger of the two oculi contains 2,000 aluminium panels coated in an algae-based bioplastic<\/a>. This hangs above a large display table equipped with a series of brass basins at the centre of the store.<\/p>\n

\"Aesop
The store features lighting installations suspended from ceiling oculi<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The algae-based bioplastic was developed by Jessie French, an experimental artist and designer based in Melbourne, Australia, whose design studio Other Matter<\/a> explores the application of new materials<\/a> as alternatives to petrochemical-based plastics.<\/p>\n

French developed a proprietary formulation for the new material, which incorporates an algae-derived polymer and locally milled pigments.<\/p>\n

It aims to offer a sustainable alternative to conventional petrochemical surfaces such as acrylic, vinyl and resin.<\/p>\n

\"Aesop
Amber lighting illuminates the back shelves throughout the store<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The semi-transparent algal surface adds to the slight mirroring of the illuminated aluminium panels, which cast flickering reflections onto the walls and floor throughout the store.<\/p>\n

According to French, the algae-based bioplastics manage to preserve the organic matter of the natural algae while maintaining its biodegradability.<\/p>\n

It adheres to smooth substrates without adhesives, enabling it to be removed intact for repositioning or to be melted and reshaped into new forms for reuse.<\/p>\n

\"Aesop
The algae-based surface was developed by Jessie French<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A four-metre-tall circular pillar at the front of Aesop Hainan was also covered with the same material, in a pattern that resembles the movement of ocean waves.<\/p>\n

The sealed finish was designed for permanent use and cast directly onto the pillar, then fixed with an organic sealant.<\/p>\n