Yellow, reminiscent of sunshine, becomes the spirit and mood at the sunny eyewear store Opiq, where the selection of sunny eyewear thrive in the glare and shimmer of chrome metal, faint reflections of glass and sharp spots of light. The sunny yellow takes up clean, strip-like silhouettes, to fall in unison like the sunrays while the metallic monochrome palette shows us how the world will look like from the lens of these shades. The greys are subtle and warm, the yellow is pop and everything is edgy, but with a balance. All of this, becomes apparent, right from the glass show window—taking our eye from the line of mannequin heads peeking right into us, and drawing us in, to the of the interactive displays and spotlights staging the finest selection of sunshades. 

Stepping in, one realises that the space has many layers to it. Its linearity is broken into different viewpoints with angular counters and standalone displays, while its verticality is given a balance with suspended ceiling elements. One such, is a circular canopy, with mannequin heads spinning about a gyroscopic base—its spaceship-like silhouettes and alien-like faces find tune with the metallic palettes to give an out-worldly, futuristic vibe. Details like discs of glass around the columns add to it, while the unusual choices like the yellow in the mirror and the geometry in displays underline its eccentricity more than the theme. Levelling up that eccentricity is a hexagonal, all-yellow rack, that makes us turn around and slow down, to take a better look at the pieces on display. 

Everything else is in a light grey, from the walls to the counters, making the little details like perforated metal in the displays, stand out. Its texture breaks the solid look of the metal while its lit backdrop add a tech-edge to it. These encasements also move about, as adjustable shelving systems, to come up with flexible arrangements, that create different display patterns for every new product line. Glass counters foregrounding them give a peek into the signature pieces, while the farthest end invites us with interactive displays speaking for the ultra-luxury brands on display. Spotlights complete the aesthetic from around this corner and the eyes are free to wander and gaze into every detail. 

While the material selections take inspiration from the making of eyewear and the experiential details nod to their optical character. From floor-to-ceiling mirrors creating the illusion of a larger space, to the array of light tubes balancing the height while creating a datum in the space. The perception is not only challenged but redefined. Different forms, scales and heights are played with, to make the linear space bring the right pauses and make the heads turn—much like the pieces. 

Team:

Firm: I’m D’sign 
Partners: Deepak Kalra, Dhruva Kalra, Shifaa Kalra, Aarushi Kalra 
Lead: Deepak Kalra and Aarushi Kalra
Team: Priti Negi, Yuvika Agarwal
Furniture: Punam Kalra, I’m the Centre for Applied Arts
Photography: Architecture Visuals Dhrupad
Text: Akshaya Muralikumar