Situated a one-hour car drive south from Seoul, the city of Cheonan may be much smaller, but it’s an important hub for transportation and hi-tech, and as such, offering its dwellers a good life with a matching infrastructure. The optician and eyewear store Glass Star has been catering to a discerning clientele with services and top range frames, but as of late, the store features a new setting which not only matches the alluring merchandise, but which also effortlessly resonates with its savvy following. The owners tapped Seoul-based architecture practice RVMN to revamp the approx. 160 sqm. (1,722 sq.ft.) retail space. Interestingly, the chosen aesthetic is based on the notion that glasses are on the one hand a familiar object, but they reveal something fascinating, clearing up a blurry view, gradually brightening one’s vision, unveiling an entirely new world, and all within a frame. This multifaceted characteristic has been translated into a retail setting which transforms when navigating the premises to discover the merchandise on display.
To ensure a seamless integration between the lens zone and the newly designed space, contrasting black and white colour scheme has been implemented, allowing shoppers to intuitively distinguish between the eyewear sales area and the lens sales area upon entering the store. Using a palette of high-pressure laminate and acrylic, the design of the displays is distinctly minimalist yet through form visually arresting, allowing Glass Star‘s wide variety of merchandise to pop. Two semi-circular displays take centre stage, reflecting the structural essence of eyewear in a simple yet refined way. Overhead, large circular Barrisol lighting enhances the focus and creates depth, while also adding visual drama. Sleek shelving units lining the walls represent the assembly process of eyeglasses, naturally segmenting the space and allowing each of Glass Star‘s brand to be displayed within its designated section. While the display method remains clear and straightforward, the geometric forms introduce a dynamic visual experience which shoppers will discover while navigating the store. Last but not least, the façade has been designed to maximise visibility, making the interior easily noticeable from the outside. © superfuture
Glass Star
288 Ssangyong-daero (Seobuk-gu)
31138 Cheonan
Telephone +82 41 5551001
Daily 09.30am-9pm
Publishers Note
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