An old bookstore has been stripped back to its concrete foundations to create a minimal space for Swiss eyewear brand Viu's first store in Austria (+ slideshow).
The store is located in the Neubau district of the Austrian capital which is known for its rich art history and bohemian culture. Viu shares its new two-story premises with We Bandits, a fashion store which specialises in Korean brands.

Viu's creative director Fabrice Aeberhard was responsible for the interior design, and wanted to create a large open space where visitors could browse its glasses as though they are inside a gallery.
To begin with, the shop was stripped back to its concrete structure. Multiple inner walls that divided the space were removed, and the ground floor ceiling was opened up to the second floor.
"Stepping into the store, one is struck first and foremost by the sheer size of the space," said Viu. "Visitors browse the pieces with the feeling of being in a gallery ? the expansiveness of the space truly impressing and their eyes continually being pulled throughout the room to each new piece."

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Eyewear is arranged on small shelves that slot into gridded display system constructed from anodised, brushed aluminium towards the back of the store's ground floor. This is mounted to sit slightly proud of the original walls, with lighting hidden behind to illuminate the gaps a...