Dr. Matt Barber debuted the CHROMA brand in 2019 before opening his current office in 2020 with a mission to raise the bar on eyecare in Fort Worth, Texas.
CHROMA achieves that in one of the most visually striking optical spaces you’ll ever find. You might recall VMSD‘s prior coverage of CHROMA for its use of fixtures to cutting-edge effect.
For its execution of design, among many other reasons, CHROMA was named America’s Finest Optical Retailer for 2022 by INVISION, a sister publication of VMSD. Check out the photos here for an up-close look at the Texas eyecare destination.
📷: Chad M. Davis, AIA
As one of the judges of INVISION’s 2022 America’s Finest Optical Retailers competition put it, CHROMA is “eyecare as an art form”— and an undeniably worthy winner of this year’s contest.
📷: Chad M. Davis, AIA
Barber credits architect Bart Shaw of Ibanez Shaw Architecture with helping to bring his vision for CHROMA to life.
📷: Chad M. Davis, AIA
CHROMA is housed in a modern tilt-wall concrete building with a suspended walkway leading to the front door. “We are in the cultural center of Fort Worth with world renowned museums and we needed to look the part,” says Barber.
📷: Chad M. Davis, AIA
The optical is housed in a cantilevered glass space that hovers 10 feet over Montgomery Street. Lit by LED lighting from above, the space puts on a “show” at night.
📷: Chad M. Davis, AIA
With 20-foot floor-to-ceiling windows allowing an abundance of natural light, the patient is drawn in and compelled to browse the optical.
📷: Chad M. Davis, AIA
At CHROMA, eyewear is displayed in floating glass shelving supported by steel rods.
📷: Chad M. Davis, AIA
One wall of the optical features frames in clear backlit acrylic cubes.
📷: Chad M. Davis, AIA
Patients comment daily on the scenic view from the optical, says Barber.
📷: Chad M. Davis, AIA
Barber wants CHROMA’s patients to be able to purchase unique eyewear without having to leave Fort Worth. “We try to seek out unique frame lines that are not currently offered in our area.”
📷: Chad M. Davis, AIA
CHROMA is located in Fort Worth’s Cultural District, a lively neighborhood whose attractions range from art galleries and gardens to live music venues and rodeos.
📷: Chad M. Davis, AIA
“Life is too short to be unhappy,” says Barber. “We should all work in an environment and culture that makes us feel good. Hopefully, we make a difference in our patients’ lives — a
genuine smile goes a long way.”
📷: Chad M. Davis, AIA
12 Photos of an Optical Retailer That Turned Eyecare into an Art Form
Dr. Matt Barber debuted the CHROMA brand in 2019 before opening his current office in 2020 with a mission to raise the bar on eyecare in Fort Worth, Texas.
CHROMA achieves that in one of the most visually striking optical spaces you’ll ever find. You might recall VMSD‘s prior coverage of CHROMA for its use of fixtures to cutting-edge effect.
For its execution of design, among many other reasons, CHROMA was named America’s Finest Optical Retailer for 2022 by INVISION, a sister publication of VMSD. Check out the photos here for an up-close look at the Texas eyecare destination.
📷: Chad M. Davis, AIA