projects | Viabizzuno progettiamo la luce

sometimes we open our eyes to see the world, sometimes we close our eyes to dream the world this is the idea behind the architectural concept of the optician's store ‘eyecare center' in maastricht (the netherlands); a mental ‘short cut' (a play of words) inspired the architects to coin the name of the store: from ‘eyecare for you' to ‘I care for you'. hence, the question: is it really for everybody? for all of you? yes, of course, the term ‘all' also designates the blind. this is the founding theme of the concept design of space where architects have intentionally created a contrast between eyewear brands and objets d'art for the blind. a ‘blind art gallery' fills the open space, while several volumes containing hundreds of eyewear surround it. on these mysterious volumes that are not lit up the store concept is written in braille by hundreds of LED lights: zero gradi fittings are embedded on the surface of white volumes like a constellation of stars to form a legible and powerfully symbolic graphic sign. light writes the alphabet for the blind, a light fitting turns into a code to establish a dialogue with customers entering this space to purchase eyewear and with those who do not need eyewear because they touch and hear the world. ‘at times we open our eyes to see the world and, at times, we close them to dream about it…' zero gradi fitting tells this story, standing out as a spot light that marks the rhythm of volumes, which are suspended from the ceiling. product exposure becomes secondary, hidden inside volumes, almost like an intimate choice, that is intentional and reliable, not the result of passing fads. what is highlighted are, instead, the works, the objets d'art for the blind that stand out as masterpieces even for those who can see very well, creating a single universe in which ‘caritas blind art gallery' gives meaning to our consumerist action, charging architecture with significance and, finally, endowing our life with meaning.