Enjoy 2 free articles a month. For unlimited access, get a membership now.

PJ.Lobster Optical Boutique

El Departamento

SAVE SUBMISSION
Gold
Gold
El Departamento designs the new concept of PJ.Lobster optical-boutique concept in Barcelona - José Hevia
This new optical-boutique of the firm is born, setting the basis of a new commercial proposal and store concept. - José Hevia
The architecture and interior design studio El Departamento has developed a meticulous work of integral redesign to materialize the last project undertaken by PJ.Lobster, which begins with the opening of its new optical-boutique in the Born district of Barcelona. - José Hevia
El Departamento designs the new concept of PJ.Lobster optical-boutique concept in Barcelona - José Hevia

1 / 13

Comments
Innovation
Functionality
Creativity
Eco-Social Impact
Total
JURY VOTES
Single-Brand Store
8.18
8.11
8.72
7.14
8.04
Nikita Morell
Nikita Morell Founder at Architects WordShop
The materials, the colours, the lay...
8
8
9
8
8.25
Orlando Marques
Orlando Marques Founder and Director at OMstudio Lighting
Interior design delight to the eye...
8.5
8
9
8
8.38
Nazanin Naeini
Nazanin Naeini Exhibition Designer at Guggenheim Museum
Love how the project focuses on kee...
8.5
8
8.5
8
8.25
Andrea Sensoli
Andrea Sensoli Founder and Principal Architect at Superfuturedesign*
“minimalism in oxymoron sauce”. no...
9
9
10
7
8.75
Jeff Xiong
Jeff Xiong Retail Space Design Director at ANTA Sports Products
7.02
7.1
7.1
6.94
7.04
Ye Zhang
Ye Zhang Founder and Chief Architect at LZA
The use of contrasting materials in...
8
8
8.5
7
7.88
Monica Dalla Riva
Monica Dalla Riva Senior Vice President design and Customer Experience at Deutsche Telekom
8
9
9
7
8.25
Johan Lingner
Johan Lingner Head of Store Design at H&M
9
9
9
7
8.5
Christian Kirschenmann
Christian Kirschenmann Studio Director Workplace at Ippolito Fleitz Group
Eye-catching project. Personally, t...
9
9
9
7
8.5
Maarten Jamin
Maarten Jamin Founder at bs;bp
8
8
9
6
7.75
Jannis Reger
Jannis Reger Managing Director at CECON Buildings
7.5
8
7.5
6.5
7.38
Elvira Munoz
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
Qiang Yu Founder at YuQiang & Partners
7
6
8
6
6.75
Comments
Innovation
Functionality
Creativity
Eco-Social Impact
Total
GRAND JURY VOTES
Shortlisted - Single-Brand Store of the Year
8.46
8.84
8.81
7.47
8.4
Christopher Lye
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
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
Torquil McIntosh Cofounder at Sybarite
8.8
8.8
8.8
8.8
8.8
John Naranjo
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
Leendert Tange Creative Partner at Storeage-Group
Amazing use of color and for sure i...
8.18
8.22
9
7.14
8.14
Client
PJ.Lobster
Floor area
40 ㎡
Completion
2023
Social Media
Instagram Linkedin
Lighting
Furniture

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.