This is the second Maroon Optique store (the first one is in Kepong, Kuala Lumpur) and the fourth in the cluster of MJ Optical and Maroon Optique stores.
According to Dom Lee and his team at Wuuu, the brief for the new store was to push the boundaries of a typical optical store while elevating the already prestigious Maroon Optique brand and their bespoke eyewear even higher.
The location in TTDI fits the description well as it is an affluent neighbourhood on the western side of Kiara Hills, known as the Beverly Hills of Malaysia, and its residents are trendy urbanites interested in design and architecture.
The exterior of the store greets the customers with several striking features. The first thing they will notice is Maroon Optique’s highly visible neon signs that face in three directions. They will then spot the massive rock in the window and finally, they will see the slightly recessed and beautifully framed entrance door.
Inside, what stands out the most is the dark wood panelling that creates an overall retro atmosphere. This retro feel is further enhanced by the “outdated” white peg board wall, the cream-and-brown checkered upholstery of some of the angular dark-wood-frame chairs, and the wood-panel-and-glass partitions that separate the public area from the private offices.
All of this a somewhat masculine detailing creates a sense of tradition, high quality and calm. The designers were looking to highlight craft and skill involved in creating the eyewear by employing highly skilled craft in the store design as well.
The designers also referenced the sculptural concepts of Italian modernist master, Carlo Scarpa (1906-1978), by integrating, for example, two circular recesses in the main display wall where a stone background highlights the floating metal display shelves. Tuija Seipell
