high-tech elements and 'texturized minimalism' shape all-green optical boutique in barcelona

PJ.Lobster optical-boutique in Barcelona

Architecture and interior design studio El Departamento has developed a vibrant redesign for PJ.Lobster’s optical boutique store in Barcelona, Spain. Drawing on the concepts of ‘texturized minimalism’ and ‘raw high-tech’, the design presents an all-green interior that swings between soft and hard, rough and velvety. Bespoke decorative pieces and furniture enhance the high-tech character of the space and highlight the vision of the PJ.Lobster brand.

the entrance of PJ.Lobster’s new boutique | all images courtesy of José Hevia

El Departamento goes ‘from macro to micro’

Following the theme of ‘from macro to micro’, Alberto Eltini and Marina Martín from El Departamento (find more here) have crafted a personality-filled interior design within just 40 sqm. Drawing inspiration from the documentary ‘Powers of Ten’ by Charles and Ray Eames for IBM, which is based on Kees Boeke’s book ‘Cosmic View: the Universe in 40 Jumps,’ the studio explores various scales of matter through leaps of ten. This imaginative approach uncovers patterns and similarities that transcend extremes, from the vastness of the Milky Way to the intricacy of atomic zoom-ins. Such a creative manipulation of scale, perspective, and essence has heavily influenced the design of PJ.Lobster’s store.

a pop of soft green emerges within the urban environment

Delving into the study of textures and grain sizes of matter, El Departamento unveils the two aforementioned conceptual paths: ‘texturized minimalism’ and ‘raw high-tech’. While seemingly contradictory, the concepts merge, giving birth to a dynamic space that transitions between softness and hardness. The newly designed PJ.Lobster optical boutique exudes a nearly raw and unadorned essence, embracing minimal elements and materials. At the same time, its walls, floors, and ceilings boast an extensive array of textures.

The space’s high-tech nature is accentuated by the bold, reflective display shelves. Adding to this atmosphere, a central piece of furniture takes the spotlight with its bright, rounded, and imposing presence, becoming the focal point of the main area. Positioned strategically, it greets visitors as they step into the store. Further on, the second part of the space catches the eye thanks to a waiting area and a dynamic cabinet that closes with a curved green vegan leather curtain to provide privacy.

reflective display shelves adorn the all-green interior

A space of contrasts

The rough materiality with a prominent and irregular stucco becomes the protagonist of the space and an icon of interior design. This is softened by the washed green color that fills the space while providing a sense of calm, comfort, and coziness. Meanwhile, the materials that predominate in this design are the stainless steel of the displays, the micro cement of the floor, the vegan leather of the curtain that works as a separator of the different spaces, and the pre-existing moldings, all of them finished in that monochrome tone that makes this optical-boutique a memorable space.

El Departamento has created a project based on the zoning of the space. Each of the areas has been carefully studied and delimited to serve each customer in a personalized way: from the exhibition of products to the most intimate area dedicated to visual examinations. In this way, the designers have managed to blend different atmospheres in this small space.

a central piece of furniture takes the spotlight with its rounded, and imposing presence