Mlkk Workbook #001 About Making

This workbook is comprised of the work of Mlkk Studio from 2015-2016. The projects featured are across the globe including Hong Kong China, Hawaii USA and Gold Coast Australia.

Aesop IFC, Hong Kong

The design begins with the idea to look for an fresh materiality to represent the core design value of Aesop Design. More importantly, we hope to address a common phenomenon in retail construction in Hong Kong – Tenants are often required to renovate their shops every two to three years to entertain the public with a fresh look. This frequent renovation cycle might have encouraged a culture of construction wastage which we hope to seek a more socially responsible alternative approach. Therefore, we are keen to build a store with material that is renewable, recyclable and environmentally friendly by nature.

Project: Aesop IFC Signature Store
Completion: 2016
Area: 30 sqm
City: Hong Kong
Country: China
Stage Involved: CS, DD, T, CD, CA
Accent Material: Cork
Awards: Asia Pacific Retail Interior Hong Kong Award Winner, 2017

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Aesop Harbour City, Hong Kong

The design is inspired to reiterate an obliterated local craftsmanship – the technique of describing fluid organic form by using pebble wash with careful control on timing, mixing and use of hand-tool. We would like to play with the remembrance of this local craftsmanship in the store, at the same time pushing the boundary of current retail store construction model which most of the components are fabricated off- site. The design intends to celebrate the versatility of pebble wash by forming various degrees and radii of curvatures seamlessly throughout the sculptural piece and as an appreciation of this sophisticated handcraft construction step.

Project: Aesop Harbour City Signature Store
Completion: 2016
Area: 26 sqm
City: Hong Kong
Country: China
Stage Involved: CS, DD, T, CD, CA
Accent Material: Pebble Wash

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Aesop Pacific Fair, Gold Coast, Australia

The inspiration has been the local coastal accent of Gold Coast – the vibrant energy and natural beauty surrounding the city. As well we are keen to design with fundamental/basic Industrial material locally available at Queensland. Three key materials resonates the essence of the coastal front culture, which includes the flexible industrial plywood, copper boat nails and steel, which are commonly used at industrial application in Queensland. Design is keen to express an unusual beauty of these utilitarian material, and create a welcoming, natural, calming retail space.

Aesop International Market Place, Honolulu, USA

The idea of simultaneously being local and modern perfectly matches with the development of the site, International Market Place, which was once the most important market area for Honolulu, found during 1956. The land of this mall has a strong historical significance, the original land owner was Queen Emma and King Kamehameha IV in 1859, and revenue of the land goes to Queen’s Medical Nonprofit Hawaii health care center. While the International Market Place has always been a traveler destination, the land had served purposeful meaning to the Hawaiian. With the structure was torn down and rebuilt in a modern fashion, the site still retains the original market character of the tropical nature with a semi-open setting with water and banyan trees. The shopping mall is semi-open in nature. The design therefore introduces two screens to create the exterior-interior transitions with 3 zonings: an outdoor foyer, semi-outdoor retail and a semi-enclosed back-of-house. The screens are operable and allow different definition of enclosed and open space as to create a dialogue with the exterior nature.

Project: Aesop International Market Place Signature Store
Completion: 2016
Area: 49 sqm
City: Honolulu
Country: USA
Stage Involved: CS, DD, T, CD, CA
Accent Material: Reclaimed Wood

To view more please click here.