L.A. Eyeworks

L.A. Eyeworks in Los Angeles, California by Neil Denari, 2002

Neil Denari's first built work in his hometown of Los Angeles, California, the store/showroom for L.A. Eyeworks, furthers the architect's exploration of surface and form found in his unbuilt work. The main idea of continuous surfaces utilizing multiple functions starts at the front door of the 1,250 sf store, as a low bench rises up to an LED display and further wraps to become the stores primary signage.

A renovation of an existing two-story building, the store keeps the upper, curved portion of the facade which wraps the corner between Martel and the main entry of Beverly Boulevard. Although the primary reason in keeping the stucco facade was for zoning requirements, the corner is a precursor to Denari's treatment of surfaces. In the case of the existing facade, the corner makes a transition between two elements, just as Denari transitions between the bench and the signage.

Inside the architecture is an assemblage of continuous surfaces defining spaces and leading the eye through the store. The low bench of the facade is brought inside as a bench that leads up towards the skylight while helping to define the space beyond. As well, the pieces of furniture move on casters and nest inside each other to become a single, sculptural unit during non-business hours. At the rear of the store, the multiple-height countertop wraps up to become a continuation of the ceiling plane that also rises to the rear of the store, together acting as a procession towards the purchase of the owner-designed frames.

Famous in LA for their frames, Gai Gherardi and Barbara McReynolds gave Denari the chance to design a total environment that reflected the store's product and process. As the architect proclaimed, "the architecture is built, the art is installed, the glasses are designed, then produced...work[ing] together to create a smooth environment." The art Denari refers is a wall installation that blends in well with the architecture: alternating, vertical ribbons of vacuum-formed panels that ripple as the architecture bends, both in a soft blue that gives the store a soothing feeling. With this store, and Denari's determination to focus on his practice, his built work should become more common and stronger as his ideas extend beyond the computer.