Panerai, the high-end Italian watchmaker known for its deep connection to marine exploration, opened a significant boutique in the heart of Lyon, France, in April 2024. This boutique not only reflects the brand’s dedication to craftsmanship but also features a bespoke lighting system designed to elevate the shopping experience and harmonize with the store’s refined architectural elegance.
At the core of the lighting design is a custom-built system that seamlessly integrates with the boutique’s millwork, characterized by its fluted detailing. This design choice ensures visual harmony and coherence throughout the space, as the lighting mimics the cannage patterns of the surrounding cabinetry. This thoughtful integration allows for a streamlined installation process while prioritizing aesthetic appeal.
The lighting scheme employs a combination of low-voltage spotlights and wall-washers, meticulously selected to create targeted accent lighting that enhances both product displays and visual merchandising elements.
The careful alignment of luminaires with the boutique’s dimensions ensures that each light source not only highlights Panerai’s iconic watches but also draws attention to design elements that reflect the brand’s heritage. By using different correlated color temperatures (CCT), the lighting accentuates various features throughout the space. Neutral tones are used for the products, while warmer tones highlight visual merchandising elements. The visual merchandising within the boutique showcases iconic Italian design elements and the rich history of Panerai.
This careful selection of CCT (3000K AND 4000K) ensures that every element within the boutique receives the appropriate emphasis, enhancing the overall aesthetic and guiding customers through a curated visual journey.
In addition to product and merchandising lighting, the boutique features custom lighting for freestanding display towers. These towers, designed specifically for Panerai’s most iconic pieces, incorporate mini track lighting systems equipped with integrated DALI-controlled spotlights. This design not only emphasizes the products but also maintains a cohesive visual narrative throughout the space.
The boutique’s façade and window displays are equally impactful, featuring concealed lighting fixtures within the signature cannage elements. This design highlights the displayed products while remaining discreet, ensuring the boutique maintains an elegant exterior that draws customers in without overshadowing the products themselves.
