Transparency, semi-transparency, opaque and reflection are the main design characteristics incorporated in the design of the Laskaris shop. The inspiration was drawn from the nature of the eye. These characteristics are spaciously represented by the use of curved forms and curvilinear shapes in the design of objects as tables, service counters and display cases.
The optic shop positioned in the centre of Kifissia – Athens, takes angular place of a mall and is devided into two levels: the groundfloor that operates as a public sale space and the mezzanine, where the ophthalmological office, the laboratory and a small lounge area are located in.
The most substantial difficulty of the design study was the wish of the client for even more display-cases, storage-places (display-shelves) and service counters, all planted into the small ground area of 38m2, where self-service and customer service would both take place.
The above criterions led to the division of the groundfloor area in two main zones, which functionally distinguish self from customer service.
The first zone, designed in a T–shape, occupies 15m2 and marks the circulation of the store. Along the windows internally, the customers can cast an eye over the spectacles, featured on the glass-shelves of the suspended large white corian cylinders, and try out their favourites.
The zone is all cladded in beech wood and lightened with ceiling spots.
The second zone takes 60% of the space, providing the customer service and the main display area.
White ribbons of corian unfold from the ceiling, shaping three service counters and one cash counter, at the ground level. The unfolding of the ribbons seems to intersect an illuminated rectangular surface-grid on this zone’s wall and ceiling.
The surface-grid on the wall represents the main display case. It is made of aluminium frame and filled with horizontally oriented tiles of plexiglas in ice-white hued colours. The icy and static style is transformed to a warm and dynamic atmosphere through the constant colour alterations effected via lighting. Led RGB have been installed at the back of the surface, for this purpose.
Reversely, on the ceiling of the same zone, fluorescent lamps covered with plexiglas, offer a direct lighting to the place, giving the impression of a bright day, all the time.
The two zones become noticeable by the contrast of their material: wood against plexiglas, corian and mirror. The opacity and the dark grain of wood contradict the transparency and the icy-hued colours of plexiglas, as well as the reflection of the mirror, bringing into the mind the contrast between the sclera and the pupil of the eye’s fields.
The wide use of mirrors, located in specific points of the place, not only enlarge the small interior, resulting an effect of infinite depth, but also reflect the rich vegetation of the context.
Outside, passers can be all eyes to the exhibition of the store’s commodity and also have a clear view to what is happening inside.
The design extends from the interior of the shop and its vitrine to the furniture, the display cases and the lighting system.
Click the images below for bigger versions:The optic shop positioned in the centre of Kifissia – Athens, takes angular place of a mall and is devided into two levels: the groundfloor that operates as a public sale space and the mezzanine, where the ophthalmological office, the laboratory and a small lounge area are located in.
The most substantial difficulty of the design study was the wish of the client for even more display-cases, storage-places (display-shelves) and service counters, all planted into the small ground area of 38m2, where self-service and customer service would both take place.
The above criterions led to the division of the groundfloor area in two main zones, which functionally distinguish self from customer service.
The first zone, designed in a T–shape, occupies 15m2 and marks the circulation of the store. Along the windows internally, the customers can cast an eye over the spectacles, featured on the glass-shelves of the suspended large white corian cylinders, and try out their favourites.
The zone is all cladded in beech wood and lightened with ceiling spots.
The second zone takes 60% of the space, providing the customer service and the main display area.
White ribbons of corian unfold from the ceiling, shaping three service counters and one cash counter, at the ground level. The unfolding of the ribbons seems to intersect an illuminated rectangular surface-grid on this zone’s wall and ceiling.
The surface-grid on the wall represents the main display case. It is made of aluminium frame and filled with horizontally oriented tiles of plexiglas in ice-white hued colours. The icy and static style is transformed to a warm and dynamic atmosphere through the constant colour alterations effected via lighting. Led RGB have been installed at the back of the surface, for this purpose.
Reversely, on the ceiling of the same zone, fluorescent lamps covered with plexiglas, offer a direct lighting to the place, giving the impression of a bright day, all the time.
The two zones become noticeable by the contrast of their material: wood against plexiglas, corian and mirror. The opacity and the dark grain of wood contradict the transparency and the icy-hued colours of plexiglas, as well as the reflection of the mirror, bringing into the mind the contrast between the sclera and the pupil of the eye’s fields.
The wide use of mirrors, located in specific points of the place, not only enlarge the small interior, resulting an effect of infinite depth, but also reflect the rich vegetation of the context.
Outside, passers can be all eyes to the exhibition of the store’s commodity and also have a clear view to what is happening inside.
The design extends from the interior of the shop and its vitrine to the furniture, the display cases and the lighting system.
Photography: Stathis Mamalakis
