Design firm: Labotory, Seoul

The details: German eyewear brand Yun planted its latest flag in Seoul’s hip Seongsu neighborhood with a store that flaunts a pared-down design, executed via a subtle palette of white porcelain and Dansaekhwa, or monochrome paintings. The retail-café hybrid is a unique spatial experience that “brings about the coexistence of conflicting values with the minimal sensibilities of Korea in the East,” says Labotory’s Seul Gi Yoo, who served as project manager. “It allows us to experience the interaction of different things from [different points of view].” While the natural palette contrasts elements like the metallic cutting machine used for making glasses, concave and convex ceilings instill a sense of harmony in the refined space, reflecting Yun’s philosophy of seeking balance. “There is also a sense of balance in [our] design philosophy,” adds Labotory creative director Kee Min Park. “It is a ritual we keep.”

This article originally appeared in HD’s  May 2020 issue.