Bucherer

Bucherer 1888, one of the most prestigious Swiss manufactureres of watches, based in Lucerne, was founded in 1888. In April 2013, the firm inaugurated the world‘s largest store for exclusive horology in Paris‘ famous Boulevard des Capucines.

Lighting Concept – The new store has been almost entirely illuminated with LED. One of the key features of the lighting design was to create an overall lighting atmosphere which was able to merge all premium brands (presenting themselves within a shop-in shop-system) by establishing a high-value, luxury identity. The lighting design was developed in close collaboration with the interior designers and the client, who benefits since many years from his experience in illuminating watches and jewelry. In selected areas, lux levels up to 4000 lx belonged to the briefing. The highly reflective stone flooring was considered positively in the lighting concept, since the radiation on the floor supported the alignment of the shops as well as their various entrances.

Flush ceiling integrated downlights and wallwashers, precisely co-ordinated with the furniture and product presentations, illuminate the watches and diamonds. In order to achieve exact results, different beam angles were obligatory (18°, 24°, 36°, 45°). Suspended ceiling panes with indirect LED-cove lighting systems add elegance and underline the store‘s concept. The color for all lighting elements was defined with 3000°K.

Lighting objects, hand-made of ceramic blossoms and buds by London artist Valeria Nascimento, were set into „mise-en-scene“ by using narrow-beam LED spotlights. The layouts for all three installations (one for each level) were defined by using 1:1 templates created by the artist, and completed with „light“ by pfarré lighting design. The specialists of Munich‘s Lichtlauf GmbH crafted extraordinary small LED-fixtures for the buds, and, far ceiling-recessed, glare-free downlights individually for this project.

In the shop windows, strong adjustable HQI-downlights bring out the sparkle of the products, supported by evenly lit backgrounds using recessed linear LED profiles. Hidden in the base of each window, LED-profiles light up the outer part of the window scene, creating a discreet „passepartout“ effect.

Client
Bucherer, Paris

Size
2.000 sqm

Architects
Blocher Blocher Partners, Stuttgart
Alpha International, Paris

Lighting Design
Pfarré Lighting Design, München

Art
Valéria Nascimento, London

Photography
Sébastien D’Halloy, Paris
Nikolaus Koliusis, Stuttgart