Blog #3: 1001 Optometry

Eyewear retailer 1001 Optometry is refurbishing 25 to 30 stores located in shopping centres, implementing the brand’s “Details are Beautiful” strategy.

The company tapped The Great Indoors interior designer Gesa Hopkinson for the refurbishment, which features glazed walls to allow guests to view the optometry equipment and testing rooms.

The interior’s design elements include oak timber walls, adjustable LED lighting, and closable curtains for customers who opt for private consultations.

“Overall, the key focus is to elevate the optometry process and create transparency and views into the optometry equipment and testing rooms so that the store design visually indicates more about the retail and service design experience (elevating the key service of optometry) rather than hiding the optometry rooms and the process behind walls,” said Hopkinson.

The company says materials were sourced from commercial suppliers engaged in “sensible and environmentally focused operations”.

Source: Excerpt from Inside Retail article.

Blog #4: Lifegrain Cafe

Biophilic inspired design concepts at Life Grain Cafe

Life Grain Café at Prince of Wales Randwick – Shortlisted for Best Hospitality Grab N Go Sydney Design Awards 2025

Life Grain has a direct connection with food that originates from the earth, which is directly connected through the application of strategic biophilic design principles. The design focuses on material colours that connect with the brand palette of Life Grain, indoor plants are used to connect with nature, warm timbers are used for the horizontal planting boxes behind the counter, wall claddings, and counter front finishes. 

There is a deeper connection to the earth and nature through the use of the warmer materials and earthy tones; studies indicate that the use of timber within the built environment significantly positively affects our well-being. 
The hospital environment can be challenging and stressful. The cafe has been designed with this in mind to bring peace, tranquillity and a welcome break for staff, patients & visitors. The project celebrates the client's desire, Life Grain, to vastly improve the quality of food served within the hospital network.

Excerpt from Driven by Design Awards