An installation made of discarded stone anchors the Aesop Diagonal store in Barcelona, which earned the top spot in the August FRAME Awards round, our final monthly competition until annual winners are announced in October.
The Aesop Diagonal store in Barcelona, Spain, designed by Mesura, has been named the winner of the August FRAME Awards, earning an overall score of 8.78 for its submission in the Single-Brand Store category. The architect developed the project in close collaboration with master stonemasons, the Barbany family, approaching it with the idea of anastylosis, a term that describes the architectural conservation of ancient monuments by reassembling their original pieces as precisely as possible. In this space, the purpose was to craft a new structure from the discarded stone recovered from the family's quarry. ‘A highly creative use of discarded rocks as a feature, key display and testing area,’ thinks Mark Eric Magno, principal at Aedas Interiors. ‘The raw feature installation provides contrast to minimalist product display walls.’
Discarded stone recovered from a local quarry forms an architectural merchandising structure at the Aesop Diagonal store in Barcelona.
The rock formations take centre stage in the space and are visually strengthened by stuccoed walls and stainless steel shelves that display Aesop’s cosmetics. ‘The project demonstrates an innovative exploration of design, materials and minimalism,' says Xuechen Chen, architectural designer at X.C Studio. 'The spatial balance is carefully considered, creating a harmonious flow throughout the space. The colour palette not only softens the weight and density of the rocks but also enhances the overall aesthetic, creating a calming atmosphere.’
A modular, prefabricated timber structure was designed by F.O.G. Architecture for Cycle Cycle, to travel to different urban areas of China.
The Tamburins Seongsu Flagship Store is set on the underground floor of an existing structure.
Portable Bakehouse has been named the first honourable mention (Pop-Up Store, 8.69). F.O.G. Architecture designed the modular, prefabricated timber structure for Cycle Cycle. It is based on the form of a barn, a nod to traditional agricultural architecture. The designers’ goal with the project is to create a new public space within urban environments, maximizing flexibility, mobility and engagement. Eonsld’s design of The Tamburins Seongsu Flagship Store earned the second honourable mention (Single-Brand Store, 8.63). Adopting a deconstructive approach, the store occupies the underground floor of the existing structure, to create an immersive retail experience. Strong attention was paid to lighting the space properly, to ensure that the underground space felt open and inviting.
Dedicated to the conservation of orchids in the Oaxaca region of Mexico, the Orchid Pavilion's architecture balances the strong relationship between the biological and cultural diversity of the landscape.
Modern Guru and the Path to Artificial Happiness was an exhibition designed by Eness that brought AI to life through larger-than-life inflatables in the form of various characters and LED screens.
Orchid Pavilion is located on the outskirts of Puerto Escondido, Mexico, and was designed in partnership between CCA Centro de Colaboración Arquitectónica and Bernardo Quinzaños. It's is the third honourable mention of the August competition (Cultural Space, 8.36). Dedicated to the conservation of orchids in the Oaxaca region, the building’s architecture balances the strong relationship between the biological and cultural diversity of the landscape, using simple construction materials and techniques. Taking the fourth honourable mention position, Modern Guru and the Path to Artificial Happiness was an exhibition designed by Eness that brought AI to life (Exhibition, 8.28). The experience comprised 50 connected inflatables in the form of various characters and was complemented by an 8-m LED screen. AI was used to produce interactive messaging.
