At the surface level, architecture and eyewear might seem like two completely unrelated industries – one is about designing buildings and cityscapes, while the other focuses on fashion and functionality for your face. While this might be somewhat true, digging a little deeper could expose some striking characteristics that are quite similar. And if you want to have a glimpse into some of them, reading this article will be very handy.
Take contact lenses, for instance. Although they have been a popular fashion accessory for decades, they share some intriguing parallels with architectural beauty. One of them is the transformative power they possess. Colored contact lenses can alter the entire look of your face in the same way a building could change a city’s landscape. Now that this is just an example of how both industries relate, keep reading to learn more.
Similarities in design philosophy
If you have been in the architecture industry for long, you are perhaps aware of the form follows function design principle. Mostly associated with the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it emphasizes the point that the appearance and structure of a building should always align with its intended purpose. But it was not until the 1930s and the years that followed that this maxim became a battle cry for modern architects.
During this time, modernists put more focus on functionality than visual design to improve the living conditions of the masses who lived in less-than-ideal conditions. As such, the phrase became exceedingly popular, not just in architecture but in other industries like eyewear as well. Think about a well-designed building that has to look appealing, fit within its surroundings and meet practical needs like structural integrity, safety and usability.
This also applies to a great pair of eyeglasses. You don’t want glasses that don’t complement your face, are uncomfortable for long wear and can’t provide clear vision correction. To put things into perspective, let’s consider a deep-sea fish and the thought that a structure’s shape dictates its function. The shapes of the pupils of these creatures are created to support the light spectrum they can pick up on, allowing them to survive easily in their natural habitat.
Using this inspiration, scientists have managed to come up with contact lenses with similar shapes, which do not just work as the human eye does, but can also accommodate human errors like blinking. What’s more, prosthetic lenses are designed to operate similarly to the pupil of a deep-sea fish, making them better alternatives in darker environments.
Paying attention even to millimeters
Agreeably, the need for personalization has become prevalent across almost every industry. In fact, according to Contentful, 71% of customers want tailored encounters, with 76% getting disappointed when they don’t find them. This is also evident in both the architecture and eyewear segments – consumers now demand better fit and performance.
Surprisingly, a 2024 study by Euromonitor International noted that about a third of respondents cited high quality as the main factor affecting their willingness to spend more on personal accessories and fashion items. And since just a single misalignment in eyewear manufacturing could affect the wearer’s comfort, brands have become more attentive to avoid missing out on this population that seriously prioritizes quality.
It’s no different in architecture, especially now that just one miscalculation in a blueprint could compromise a building’s structure, explaining the growing emphasis on precision craftsmanship. Architects must ensure structural beams and materials are aligned with pinpoint accuracy, just like eyewear designers must align lenses perfectly within a frame to fit individual preferences.
How modern architecture influences eyewear design
Another architectural principle that’s changing things in the eyewear segment is minimalism. This principle works by stripping away unnecessary elements to focus on what’s essential. Interestingly, it’s actually gaining traction in the eyewear industry. Just recently, Grand View Research released a report claiming that the rimless frame segment could increase by a CAGR of about 6.8%, fueled by the growing need for lightweight and minimalistic options.
Rimless frames are quite sleek and unobtrusive, offering a modern aesthetic expression that many fashion-conscious individuals prefer. Plus, the focus on neutral colors like black and white makes minimalistic designs easy to pair with any outfit. In architecture, many people also seem to love such designs. In fact, RentCafe conducted a study and found that 59% of respondents prefer home decor with clean and minimal designs.
In the report, 73.5% of respondents confirmed preferences for calm and soothing color palettes in their home interiors. These are usually easy to maintain and can accommodate versatile designs, which is why many people prefer them.
On the flip side, dark and moody or vibrant bold colors have a lesser liking, loved by only 15.2% and 11.3%, respectively. This is why construction companies have been developing homes with neutral, muted hues to align with this preference.
Beyond minimalism, eyewear designers have also been drawing upon the geometric shapes and structures common in modern architecture. This explains the popularity of shapes like hexagons, triangles and asymmetrical designs in the eyewear industry.
At this point, you can agree that these two industries actually relate. Take their attention to details, for instance. No one wants to stay in the house with a compromised structure, just as no one wants to put on non-fitting eyeglasses. That’s why even millimeters matter in both industries.
Beyond that, designers in both industries also use principles like minimalism and form follows function to increase their appeal to as many audiences as possible.
