For many years now, the Hunke family has been operating a successful jewellery and optician business within the inner city of Ludwigsburg, near Stuttgart. In order to retain their leading position in the region’s market and to lay a foundation for future generations, a consolidation of the jewellery, watch and optician departments was required. Three aging family-owned buildings were transformed into a sustainable and future-compliant retail store. At the request of the owners, we incorporated both their family tradition and the building’s history into the interior design, resulting in very personal and calm rooms of high quality. In close collaboration with the builders, we created iconographic and vivid sales and show rooms, spreading over a total area of 750m2 (8073 ft2). Previously separated facilities were combined into a conclusive floor plan, as the listed building of former court jeweller Kiesel as well as parts of the backyard with its historic royal silversmith shop were integrated. In line with regulations for listed buildings, the entire storefront received an extensive reconstruction, allowing for a smooth integration into the surrounding inner-city development.
The jewellery and optician departments each form an independent unit with cohesive visuals and distinguished colours and materials, reflecting their differing product ranges and target groups.
Fashion lovers and individualists appreciate the excellent selection of glasses in Hunke’s optician department, which also includes a variety of young and trendy products in the sunglasses division. Our choice of materials and colours for the optician echoes the appeal of the jewellery and watch department, but also introduces a distinctive and urban identity. Large windows grant a maximum view into the prestigious shop interior, which in turn becomes part of the shop window itself. Colourful luminous perspex shelves attract the customers eyes and generate curiosity. The entrance from Asperger straße, a lively street, leads straight to the central service area and the nearby coffee bar. Positioning the service section in the heart of the room emphasises Hunke’s customer-friendly philosophy of individual consulting and personal contact. Also, in a relaxed atmosphere like this it is easy to intensify customer relations in a casual manner.
Colourful shelves zone the areas for sunglasses, corrective spectacles and the lounge, whereas bright red shelving marks the transition to the jewellery department and the staircase to the upper level. Well-illuminated cabinets in front of dark curtains inspire connotations of make-up tables and set a perfect stage to present the glasses. Unobtrusive black cabinets offer plenty of storage space for the wide product range, while the combination of angular shapes, integrated mirrors and soft fabrics creates an ambience of familiarity.
Depending on the desired level of privacy, the shop offers a variety of consulting areas: integrated zones along the façade, separated alcoves or tables at the rear end or the coffee bar are available to customers. In addition, spontaneous buyers can simply ask for professional advice directly at the cabinets. The entire shop floor is covered with polished fair-faced screed. Loose carpets signal consulting areas and make customers feel at home. Dark wood, lapis lazuli and rose quartz tones contrast with colourful bright perspex and luminous white cabinets, defining the character of the room.
In coordination with the builders, we created welcoming interior spaces with high quality materials, forming a perfect and luxurious framework for each watch, pair of glasses and piece of jewellery in Hunke’s collection. In a one-of-a-kind fusion, our concept combines past and future elements and building parts into a sustainable retail concept for Hunke’s family business in Ludwigsburg.
