Origins is the natural cosmetics division of Estée Lauder conceived with the idea that beauty involves a sense of total well-being and an awareness of the effects of environment. The design of the prototype stores evolved from that concept. Every aspect of the design celebrates the natural and the renewable resource –stone, maple wood, glass, the signage is patinaed copper without artificial illumination. The façade is of glass set in pleats so that even from outside the store a passerby can step into the space, not feel an outsider. Part of the Origins operational concept was to acknowledge that the customer knows herself better than anyone else does and to celebrate that. The design enhances that by having no sales counters, having a “kitchen island” where the customer, perched on a custom designed stool, and the staff can work side by side to find what is optimal for the user. The Estée Lauder company had a clear concept of product and presentation, but no preconception of the physical design of the stores so it was a thorough collaboration between client and architect to make a space that expressed the idea.

American Institute of Architects National Honor Award
American Institute of Architects/New England Honor Award
Boston Society of Architects Honor Award
Industrial Designers Society of America Award of Excellence
Silver Medal Visual Merchandising & Store Design Honor Award