El Departamento has meticulously transformed the latest project by PJ.Lobster into reality, starting with the opening of their new optical boutique in Barcelona's Born district.
Founded in 2018, the digital-native firm Project Lobster has been a disruptive force in the eyewear industry. Over time, the brand has evolved to strengthen both its e-commerce and physical sales channels. For this journey, it consistently partnered with El Departamento to conceptualize, design and execute their new stores.
The brand's new space in Barcelona's sophisticated El Born district, symbolizes the brand's current maturity. El Departamento meticulously redesigned the brand's universe under the new name PJ.Lobster to meet the demands of the visual healthcare sector, giving birth to a new optical boutique concept. PJ.Lobster is just the first of this new generation, with plans to expand to other locations in the coming months.
Drawing inspiration from the documentary 'Powers of Ten' by Charles and Ray Eames, which explores matter across various scales, the studio created an interior design full of character within a compact 40-square-meter space. This approach, titled "From macro to micro," inspired a design that emphasizes the different scales of matter, resulting in clinical and sophisticated spaces that showcase the brand's technical expertise and care.
El Departamento delved into the textures and grain sizes of matter and found two contrasting yet harmonious concepts: Texturized Minimalism vs. Raw High-Tech. The new PJ.Lobster optical boutique combines a raw and minimalist aesthetic with a rich texture palette, creating a space that plays with contrasts between hard and soft, rough and velvety. Display shelves showcase eyewear boldly, while a central, rounded piece of furniture dominates the main space. The waiting area and a dynamic cabinet offer privacy, housing the technical and sophisticated side of the brand.
The space's materiality is raw and striking, with prominent and irregular stucco serving as a design focal point. A soothing green color softens the roughness, creating a sense of comfort. Materials like stainless steel, microcement flooring, vegan leather and monochrome finishes on existing moldings contribute to the space's memorable atmosphere.
El Departamento's design is rooted in zoning, creating distinct areas to serve each customer individually. The space seamlessly blends microcement and carpeted floors for a neat and cozy ambiance. PJ.Lobster's high-tech identity is evident in product displays, bespoke furniture, technical equipment for visual examinations, and custom lighting. The space also offers a panoramic view of the cathedral of Santa Maria del Mar, creating a unique and engaging atmosphere.
In summary, El Departamento's design for the new PJ.Lobster optical boutique in Barcelona's Born district reflects the brand's evolution and commitment to offering a comprehensive and engaging optical experience.
PJ.Lobster Optical Boutique
El Departamento
Gold
Gold

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Nikita Morell
Founder
at Architects WordShop
The materials, the colours, the lay...
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8.25

Orlando Marques
Founder and Director
at OMstudio Lighting
Interior design delight to the eye...
8.5
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9
8
8.38

Nazanin Naeini
Exhibition Designer
at Guggenheim Museum
Love how the project focuses on kee...
8.5
8
8.5
8
8.25

Andrea Sensoli
Founder and Principal Architect
at Superfuturedesign*
“minimalism in oxymoron sauce”.
no...
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9
10
7
8.75

Jeff Xiong
Retail Space Design Director
at ANTA Sports Products
7.02
7.1
7.1
6.94
7.04

Ye Zhang
Founder and Chief Architect
at LZA
The use of contrasting materials in...
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8
8.5
7
7.88

Monica Dalla Riva
Senior Vice President design and Customer Experience
at Deutsche Telekom
8
9
9
7
8.25

Johan Lingner
Head of Store Design
at H&M
9
9
9
7
8.5

Christian Kirschenmann
Studio Director Workplace
at Ippolito Fleitz Group
Eye-catching project. Personally, t...
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9
7
8.5

Maarten Jamin
Founder
at bs;bp
8
8
9
6
7.75

Jannis Reger
Managing Director
at CECON Buildings
7.5
8
7.5
6.5
7.38

Elvira Munoz
Director of Interiors and EMEA Interior Design Practice Leader of Buildings + Places
at Aecom
Fantastic ideas: the use of a singl...
8.84
8.31
9.77
8.38
8.83

Qiang Yu
Founder
at YuQiang & Partners
7
6
8
6
6.75

Christopher Lye
Principal
at Woods Bagot
Clever use of material to be in con...
8.65
9.5
8.72
7.14
8.5

Anette Skeie
Head of Design
at Norco Interior
The use of one color in different t...
8.5
9.2
8.8
7.14
8.41

Torquil McIntosh
Cofounder
at Sybarite
8.8
8.8
8.8
8.8
8.8

John Naranjo
Creative Director
at Arcadis - Callison RTKL
Great color blocking and use of tex...
8.18
8.47
8.72
7.14
8.13

Leendert Tange
Creative Partner
at Storeage-Group
Amazing use of color and for sure i...
8.18
8.22
9
7.14
8.14
Designer
Client
PJ.Lobster
Floor area
40 ㎡
Completion
2023
Lighting
Furniture