The MYKITA shop in Monterrey, Mexico is the eyewear brand’s first outlet outside Europe (the other four being in Berlin, Vienna, Paris and Zurich). Monterrey in northeast Mexico, also known as the ”city of mountains” because of the extinct volcanoes surrounding it, is considered one of the most important industrial hubs between the US and South America. The shop is housed in a spectacular new complex in the San Pedro Garza Garcia district together with other quality retailers, restaurants, luxury condominiums and the HABITA, a 5-star hotel that Wallpaper magazine recently named ”Best New Hotel of 2010”.
The landmark building, designed by Mexican architect Agustin Landa, has a curved exterior and comprises exposed concrete, glass, and white and wood-coloured façade elements. The high-rise hotel incorporated into the cool, serene architecture sees the complex tower above its surroundings. Directly beneath is the MYKITA shop, which unlike its counterparts in Europe blends smoothly into the existing architecture and in fact complements it. Whereas the four other MYKITA shops are located in traditional old buildings and thus constitute a strong contrast to the exterior, this outlet is the logical extension of the existing architecture in which it is accommodated.
The store covers a space of 70 m2 and is split into three sections: the brightly coloured sales area at the front, the kitchen and the workshop/eye-test area at the back. MYKITA decided to keep additional interior design to a minimum by simply moving in the furniture and retaining the full effect of the wedge-shaped space with its exposed concrete walls and unique, concrete coffered ceiling. The dominant design element is the backlit J-shaped MYKITA presentation wall, which extends 12 meters down the left side of the interior and can accommodate over 500 pairs of glasses. Directly facing it on the other side is a sales counter of slightly shorter length. The presentation wall and sales counter meet at right angles further back, where they mark the end of the sales area. The mini-kitchen is separated from the front by a 2/3-height wall. Large mirrors running behind the sales counter increase the room’s apparent size and in addition enable customers to view themselves from virtually any angle. The all-glass façade ensures maximum exposure of the interior by day and night alike.
The shop stocks the full MYKITA range of corrective spectacles and sunglasses as well as exclusive designer collaborations and limited editions.
Contact
Jose Vasconcelos 150 PB-6D
66257 San pedro Garza Garcia NL
Mexico