![Aesop Aoyama by Jo Nagasaka and Schemata Architecture Office](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/12/dzn_Aesop-Aoyama-designed-by-Jo-Nagasaka-and-Schemata-Architecture-Office-5.jpg)
Aesop Aoyama by Schemata Architecture Office
Japanese architect Jo Nagasaka of Schemata Architecture Office used materials reclaimed from a demolished house for the interior of this Tokyo shop for Australian skincare brand Aesop.
![Aesop Aoyama by Jo Nagasaka and Schemata Architecture Office Aesop Aoyama by Jo Nagasaka and Schemata Architecture Office](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/12/dzn_Aesop-Aoyama-designed-by-Jo-Nagasaka-and-Schemata-Architecture-Office-2.jpg)
Located in a former vegetable shop, the project involved reusing timber, handles and furniture found in the demolished house.
![Aesop Aoyama designed by Jo Nagasaka and Schemata Architecture Office Aesop Aoyama designed by Jo Nagasaka and Schemata Architecture Office](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/12/dzn_Aesop-Aoyama-designed-by-Jo-Nagasaka-and-Schemata-Architecture-Office-23.jpg)
Features of the empty shop such as pipes and drain covers were highlighted by coating in resin.
![Aesop Aoyama designed by Jo Nagasaka and Schemata Architecture Office Aesop Aoyama designed by Jo Nagasaka and Schemata Architecture Office](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/12/dzn_Aesop-Aoyama-designed-by-Jo-Nagasaka-and-Schemata-Architecture-Office-18.jpg)
"We find a demolished house anywhere in the world," says Nagasaka. "We use a place in different purposes anywhere in the world. We get a space in skeleton condition anywhere in the world."
![Aesop Aoyama by Jo Nagasaka and Schemata Architecture Office Aesop Aoyama by Jo Nagasaka and Schemata Architecture Office](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/12/dzn_Aesop-Aoyama-designed-by-Jo-Nagasaka-and-Schemata-Architecture-Office-1.jpg)
More about Schemata Architecture Office on Dezeen »
![Aesop Aoyama by Jo Nagasaka and Schemata Architecture Office Aesop Aoyama by Jo Nagasaka and Schemata Architecture Office](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/12/dzn_Aesop-Aoyama-designed-by-Jo-Nagasaka-and-Schemata-Architecture-Office-3.jpg)
Photographs are by Alessio Guarino.
![Aesop Aoyama by Jo Nagasaka and Schemata Architecture Office Aesop Aoyama by Jo Nagasaka and Schemata Architecture Office](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/12/dzn_Aesop-Aoyama-designed-by-Jo-Nagasaka-and-Schemata-Architecture-Office-4.jpg)
Here's some more information from Aesop:
Aesop is proud to open in Tokyo, on the Ground Floor of the Asada building in Minami-Aoyama. Behind the humble facade sits a small store with a remarkable story.
![Aesop Aoyama by Jo Nagasaka and Schemata Architecture Office Aesop Aoyama by Jo Nagasaka and Schemata Architecture Office](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/12/dzn_Aesop-Aoyama-designed-by-Jo-Nagasaka-and-Schemata-Architecture-Office-6.jpg)
Architect Jo Nagasaka, when considering how to create a functional yet poetic retail space for Aesop’s range of skin and hair products, came upon an abandoned house, the Murazawa residence in Nakano- ku.
![Aesop Aoyama by Jo Nagasaka and Schemata Architecture Office Aesop Aoyama by Jo Nagasaka and Schemata Architecture Office](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/12/dzn_Aesop-Aoyama-designed-by-Jo-Nagasaka-and-Schemata-Architecture-Office-7.jpg)
Recognising the possibilities for reusing the wooden boards and beams, Nagasaka collaborated with Aesop Director Dennis Paphitis on a design that incorporates old and new materials, and pays homage to Japan’s well-established tradition of fusing modern and traditional.
![Aesop Aoyama by Jo Nagasaka and Schemata Architecture Office Aesop Aoyama by Jo Nagasaka and Schemata Architecture Office](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/12/dzn_Aesop-Aoyama-designed-by-Jo-Nagasaka-and-Schemata-Architecture-Office-8.jpg)
The project was challenging, but the result is a space that is simple, practical and warm.
![Aesop Aoyama by Jo Nagasaka and Schemata Architecture Office Aesop Aoyama by Jo Nagasaka and Schemata Architecture Office](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/12/dzn_Aesop-Aoyama-designed-by-Jo-Nagasaka-and-Schemata-Architecture-Office-9.jpg)
Aesop was founded in 1987. We offer a range of exceptional skin, hair and body products through our thirty international concept stores, and department and specialty store counters.
![Aesop Aoyama designed by Jo Nagasaka and Schemata Architecture Office Aesop Aoyama designed by Jo Nagasaka and Schemata Architecture Office](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/12/dzn_Aesop-Aoyama-designed-by-Jo-Nagasaka-and-Schemata-Architecture-Office-16.jpg)
The brand has attracted a loyal following from the beginning for our unwavering commitment to product ingredients, minimalist packaging, and intelligent communication with our customers.
![Aesop Aoyama by Jo Nagasaka and Schemata Architecture Office Aesop Aoyama by Jo Nagasaka and Schemata Architecture Office](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/12/dzn_Aesop-Aoyama-designed-by-Jo-Nagasaka-and-Schemata-Architecture-Office-10.jpg)
While our beginnings were in hair care, Aesop now boasts a line of over seventy products, more than half of which are skin care.
![Aesop Aoyama by Jo Nagasaka and Schemata Architecture Office Aesop Aoyama by Jo Nagasaka and Schemata Architecture Office](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/12/dzn_Aesop-Aoyama-designed-by-Jo-Nagasaka-and-Schemata-Architecture-Office-11.jpg)
Aesop stands apart from other companies in our refusal to be anything other than transparent, humble and sincere.
![Aesop Aoyama by Jo Nagasaka and Schemata Architecture Office Aesop Aoyama by Jo Nagasaka and Schemata Architecture Office](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/12/dzn_Aesop-Aoyama-designed-by-Jo-Nagasaka-and-Schemata-Architecture-Office-12.jpg)
We make every product with the same attention to detail that we believe should be applied to life at large.
![Aesop Aoyama by Jo Nagasaka and Schemata Architecture Office Aesop Aoyama by Jo Nagasaka and Schemata Architecture Office](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/12/dzn_Aesop-Aoyama-designed-by-Jo-Nagasaka-and-Schemata-Architecture-Office-13.jpg)
Our company advocates the use of our range as part of a life that includes good food, plentiful travel and a healthy dose of books.
![Aesop Aoyama designed by Jo Nagasaka and Schemata Architecture Office Aesop Aoyama designed by Jo Nagasaka and Schemata Architecture Office](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/12/dzn_Aesop-Aoyama-designed-by-Jo-Nagasaka-and-Schemata-Architecture-Office-14.jpg)
Aesop Aoyama
Site: Shibuya ward Tokyo
![Aesop Aoyama designed by Jo Nagasaka and Schemata Architecture Office Aesop Aoyama designed by Jo Nagasaka and Schemata Architecture Office](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/12/dzn_Aesop-Aoyama-designed-by-Jo-Nagasaka-and-Schemata-Architecture-Office-22.jpg)
Principal use: Shop
Structure RC
![Aesop Aoyama designed by Jo Nagasaka and Schemata Architecture Office Aesop Aoyama designed by Jo Nagasaka and Schemata Architecture Office](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/12/dzn_Aesop-Aoyama-designed-by-Jo-Nagasaka-and-Schemata-Architecture-Office-19.jpg)
Total floor area 74.89m²
Office area 28.66m²
Shop area 46.23m²
![Aesop Aoyama designed by Jo Nagasaka and Schemata Architecture Office Aesop Aoyama designed by Jo Nagasaka and Schemata Architecture Office](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/12/dzn_Aesop-Aoyama-designed-by-Jo-Nagasaka-and-Schemata-Architecture-Office-21.jpg)
Construction: Sekiguchi Corporation
Epoxy: Syuhei Nakamura
![Aesop Aoyama designed by Jo Nagasaka and Schemata Architecture Office Aesop Aoyama designed by Jo Nagasaka and Schemata Architecture Office](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/12/dzn_Aesop-Aoyama-designed-by-Jo-Nagasaka-and-Schemata-Architecture-Office-20.jpg)
Completion: Dec.2010
![Aesop Aoyama designed by Jo Nagasaka and Schemata Architecture Office Aesop Aoyama designed by Jo Nagasaka and Schemata Architecture Office](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/12/dzn_Aesop-Aoyama-designed-by-Jo-Nagasaka-and-Schemata-Architecture-Office-15.jpg)
See also:
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