Since colonisation, Hong Kong has expanded its territory and axis—constructing steel and glass grids in the sky amongst lush peaks and valleys. These contemporary structures are built using traditional bamboo and canvas scaffolding systems. Veiled behind swathes of mesh, the skeletal city is in ever-evolving disguise.

The design of Aesop New Town Plaza plays on the construction and streetscape of Hong Kong City: fine-gauge steel mesh shrouds the ceiling and extrudes down towards the centre of the space, capturing the city’s verticality, the desire to always look up, and the mystery of the intricate webs that cocoon its buildings. A hovering counter wraps the room while shelves appear to levitate on the opposite wall, contributing to an atmosphere of lightness and stability.