22RE designs AKILA Eyewear flagship

AKILA Eyewear emphasizes Japanese craftsmanship, natural materials, and modern precision. 22RE translated the company’s ethos into an interior design for the retailer’s Los Angeles flagship by looking to ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn.

inside of Akila by 22RE lined with shelves of eyeglasses — For Akila, 22RE looked to the design of *ryokans*, traditional Japanese inns (Elizabeth Carababas)

To do so, the architects incorporated translucent materials, grids, and shoji sliding doors. This grid also helps organize all the glasses on neat shelving, made from Douglas fir and paired with a metallic finish for a sense of the brand’s contemporary leanings.

a wood shelf lined with eyeglasses — Douglas fir shelves were coupled with a metallic wall panels to give the space a contemporary edge. (Elizabeth Carababas)

The interior is punctuated by counters of more wood and glass block that fall under the building’s original vaulted ceiling, which the architects exposed by adding a large cross truss to lower the lighting.

a wood shelf lined with eyeglasses inside Akila — The eyewear is displayed neatly on wood and metal shelving units. (Elizabeth Carababas)

a curved wall typical of ryokan architecture — Translucent materials, grids, and shoji sliding doors were used in the store. (Elizabeth Carababas)

At the rear of the space, the ceiling’s shoji screens curve down to the wall, a satisfying backdrop for the stainless-steel counter in front.

In Los Angeles, 22RE combines Japanese craftsmanship and modern precision for AKILA Eyewear flagship

Shoji See

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