Spanish eyewear brand Gigi Studios – formerly known as GIGI Barcelona – is a family-owned business established by Fulgencio Ramo in 1962 in Poble Sec, Barcelona.
Now headed by creative director and CEO Patricia Ramo, and selling its hand-crafted eyewear in more than 45 countries, Gigi Studios’ commitment to quality and elegance is evident in its newly opened headquarters designed by Isern Serra.
The Barcelona-based design studio, established in 1981 by Isern Serra, was already known to Gigi as they had previously cooperated in Gigi’s pop-up store in Ibiza and also its trade show stand.
The square-shaped, 950 square-metre (10225 sq. ft) space occupies an entire floor of a distinctive office building in Sant Cugat del Vallès, a historic neighbourhood about 25 kilometres north of Barcelona.
While Gigi’s warehouse, logistics and quality teams remain in the old headquarters, the new showroom and office is much more than just headquarters, says Patricia Ramo. It is also a space to stage gatherings, launches and other events.
The total space includes work areas, meeting rooms, showroom and kitchen. The open layout is characterized by several signature Serra features: Monochromatic hues of white, clay and cream; monolithic and sculptural, low-profile furniture and fixtures; rounded shapes; and fixed shelving and display counters.
Most of the key elements were custom-designed by Isern Serra, including the massive tables and large seating fixtures that all represent perfectly the concept of functional art.
Custom-designed features are juxtaposed with iconic pieces, including Marcel Breuer Wassily chairs (designed in 1925) and Cesca (designed in 1928) and still sold by Knoll. Also included are sculptural Roly Poly chairs designed by Faye Toogood and sold by Driade’s,and donut-shaped Boa Poufs designed by Sabrine Marcelis and sold by HEM.
Other distinctive pieces include the Nuta bar stools from Mobiles114 and LED lights by Barcelona-based Lluria.
The kitchen was conceived as a welcoming gathering place with a custom-designed concrete central island with a gorgeously curving front. Above the island hang white HeadHat Plate LED lighting fixtures by Barcelona-based Santa & Cole. Tuija Seipell
Images by Salva Lopez
