Aesop Via Calimala, Florence
Italy
The humbling process of designing in the historic center of Florence was one of paring back the multiple artistic references the city has to offer.
A pioneer of early Renaissance architecture, Filippo Brunelleschi designed the monumental dome of the Firenze cathedral and was the first to explain the scientific and geometric principles of linear perspective. His ingenuity and rigour in engineering, architecture, and sculpture proved key sources of inspiration for the slender store, which is an ode to the modest workshops where great art is produced.
From the street, a dramatic view through a suite of adjoining rooms enhances the linear perspective. The absolute symmetry of the floorplan is disrupted by the changing heights of passages, halls, and nooks—a play of compression and expansion defines the space.
In the first chamber, towering walls are finished with the ancient technique of Encausto Fiorentino. The lime plaster’s pigment fades from ceiling to floor, making visible the many hours of skilled labour this delicate craft demands.
Muscular shelves of dark-stained Mediterranean Pine were created with the simplicity of interlocking boards, suggesting the functional apparatuses of design studios. Precious marble monoliths appear to be waiting for a sculptor to begin their work.
Images and Text: Courtesy of Aesop
