André Ópticas - Optical store Lisbon

The main idea developed itself centred in the need to extend the exhibition to the whole area of the space. Since the space was big, and the protagonists of the exhibition are small, we were drived to design an exhibition device that could be extended in the whole surface of the walls. This device draws itself in complex correlation of simple shapes forming a dance of departing and proximity.

The exhibition elements form a net of vertical and horizontal prisms built in steel MDF and Plexiglas, this later perform itself as a multitasking surface. If is horizontal and faced upwards, it is an area for the lodging of the eyeglasses, if it is vertical is the support of the classical nose hold, if it is horizontal and faced downwards it is a lamp.

The notion of movement is immersed in all the elements that compose the store, the desks for private consulting, the counters, the cabinets. They exist in a suspended movement state, similar to the wall exhibition support.

The notion of unity, and continuity are rooted in the design of the entire space. This notion of unity is achieved not only with the forms of the objects that produce a kind of mnemonic osmosis, but also with the materials, particularly the dark wood floor, that spreads itself in a state of absolute continuity.

Architecture: Jorge Sousa Santos, Ismael Prata, Sofia Oliveira, Agnieszka Stachanczyk.
Client: Plinio, Ana e André Leal.
Project: 2009.
Construction: 2010.
Site: Lisboa Av. da Liberdade.
Shortlisted Building of the Year 2010 Awards, Archidaily.