Harald Gottschling, Daniel Haffmans, Philipp Haffmans and Moritz Krueger founded the Mykita brand in 2003. The firm started designing and producing out of a former daycare centre (which are locally known as ‘kita’s’) in Berlin. Mykita eyewear collections are characterized by the firm’s ongoing search for intelligent technical solutions, as well as its creative use of modern materials and its experience in eyewear design. All frames are handmade in the berlin workshop and distributed throughout the world to high-end opticians, boutiques and department stores.

Mykita’s first dedicated shop carries the firm’s trademark range of sunglasses and prescription spectacles, as well as a selection of eyewear and accessories produced by other brands. The company’s four founders designed the store’s facade and interior.

A prime location for the shop was found in a residential block in Berlin-Mitte, the city’s central borough. Large display windows offer a view from the street of the nearly square ground floor, with its 4.5-m-high ceiling. In addition to retail space, this floor accommodates a small service area and a workshop. Exposed concrete walls formed the basis of Mykita’s design concept. One L-shaped wall is covered with Dexion slotted angles, which are normally used to support heavy-load shelves. After being powder-coated with a lustrous white finish, the angles were mounted side by side to form a wall that allows light to pass through. Small shelves can be fitted into the slotted angles to create countless configurations.

This 3-m-high display system holds the entire eyewear collection. A curving sales counter, also covered in slotted angles. follows the contour of the opposite wall. Obsolete Swiss Air trolleys serve as a flexible table and storage unit topped by a sturdy counter made of ash wood.

A light installation supports the retail design. During the day, neon lights positioned behind both walls generate a pulsating animation sequence. When the shop closes, sensors installed on the facade detect outside movement and relay this information to the lighting system inside the shop, which then ‘follows’ passers-by, resulting in a fascinating light show that invites people to interact.

Myklta

Brunnenstrasse 153 10115 Berlin

Germany