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Aesop Bucktown by Norman Kelley

Aesop Bucktown is a minimalist store located in Chicago, Illinois, designed by Norman Kelley. The 88 square meter interior is the first to open in the Midwest region, and was inspired by a close observation of architectural grids, specifically those found in the innovative and textural areas of inner Chicago.

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At each surface, and with each material transition, grids are masked and revealed at varying scales and orientations. Flooring and walls feature distinctive herringbone and pinwheel brick bond patterns, which are all reclaimed Chicago Common Brick – a material historically reserved for alley facades. Through their porous texture and intriguing marks of age, the bricks impart warmth while reflecting the material’s history.

Like window mullions, the product display shelves are clad in steel, a gesture intended to acknowledge and evoke the industrial history of Chicago’s Western neighborhoods. Crafted from White Oak stained in black, both point-of-sale and demonstration sink resemble low-profile armoires, each of which is positioned to encourage exploration.

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Leo Lei translates his passion for minimalism into his daily-updated blog Leibal. In addition, you can find uniquely designed minimalist objects and furniture at the Leibal Store.