Cokon Lab, Paris, 2019

Designed for a soap brand presented at Maison&Objet, this project explores the relationship between silk, skincare, and architecture. This new soap is made from silk derived from natural silkworm cocoons. Rich in proteins such as sericin and fibroin, silk has long been valued in Japan for its moisturizing properties. One traditional beauty practice involved gently rubbing the face with half of a cocoon to soften and nourish the skin. We sought to translate this forgotten knowledge into a spatial experience. Rather than representing the product itself, we asked whether architecture could recreate the sensation of softness and moisture associated with skincare. The installation was conceived as a space enclosed by curved walls inspired by a cocoon cut in half. Finished with hand-applied plaster, the walls created a tactile environment. Real cocoons were embedded within the surface, while concealed lighting allowed light to pass through their delicate fibers, producing a soft and unfamiliar glow. The project reflects our interest in how the meaning of natural materials evolves over time. Once valued as a protective shell, then as a luxury textile and beauty tool, the cocoon is reinterpreted here as architecture. Bathed in a soft and unfamiliar light, the space carried a quiet moisture, almost like the presence of skin.

Photo : Dessigns