The project designed by Kois Associated Architects, is located in the heart of the Greek capital. The owner, Mrs Ileana Makri is a multifaceted, talented person, a polymath. Her images and knowledge stem from her travels to various countries around the world. She is considered to be one of the most important jewelry designers in Greece. Her reputation and her creations have crossed the native borders decades ago.
The starting point of the design of her flagship store was the analysis of her view on design, her interests and inspirations, her images and passions that drive her creative force. Her pieces are all different from each other, as if they have been extracted from different worlds, unusual, heterotopic and mysterious.
Nonetheless all her work is bounded by some persistent and recurring ideas such as the quality of light their creations emit, the kin geometrical patterns, the vigorous and fine workmanship, the intricate detailing. These elements compose the heteroclite sum of ideas and experiences that are expressed in her work and all together unite in a method of work and a process of transforming memories to jewelry.
The space created to detach from the usual architectural and servicing stereotypes regarding the jewelry store
The user will be able to explore the space with freedom as if he has arrived in a peculiar forest, sustained by the imagination and creative force of Ileana Makri. On the exterior the shop window opening was subdivided into three main areas.
Two stone framed windows protruding from the façade were created and the entrance door was encased between them. The first framed window is the exhibiting window that holds the new collections. This opening frames a metal-glass tree with hanging exhibition cases and the stores stone clad staircase leading to the jeweler’s workshop.
The passer’s gaze is allowed to penetrate the interior and capture glances of the movement within and observe the people ascending and descending the levels of the store. The second stone rimmed opening frames an art installation. The entrance door that is encased between the two frames is made of black colored oak wood.
The door is an element of the façade and not just an opening. Its height and robust construction create a monolithic appearance which combined with the dark color of the wood allude to the door to an enchanted forest. With the asymmetric subdivision and stereotomic properties of the synthesis, the façade has a rhythm and coherent composure.
The project aims to hide aspects of the shop in order to create ambiguity and depth, curiosity that would lead to a stasis in a street of constant movement. Inside there is a geometrical forest in the entrance zone of the store; the trees of metal, glass and stone hold the precious creations.
The project makes use of natural unprocessed materials metal, glass, wood and stone, focusing on creating a dialectic relationship with the authenticity of materials that characterizes the creations of the owner and the work. Grey sedimentary rock characterized by inhomogeneous internal composition. The bronze was selected because of its ability to convey and transform the light and the black metal with the wood to give rhythm texture color and to fuse the elements to a coherent whole.
The goal of the architectural office was to go beyond the given architectural typologies of the jewelry store and create a concept store that would reflect the multifaceted aspect of the client’s creations and the ethos of her work.
Principle Architect Stelios Kois
Project Manager Antriana Voutsina
Design Team Nikos Patsiaouras, Marielina Stavrou, Konstantinos Karanasos, Alexandros Economou
Area 130 Sqm
Construction Doriki
Photos Courtesy Giorgos Sfakianakis
Kois Associated Architects
Was founded in Athens in 2007 by architect Stelios Kois. The office deals with a range of projects on several different fields of design, spanning from smaller to larger scale projects. The design ethos of the collaboration is the synchronized engagement in practice and research that leads to the evaluation and generation of new solutions. Kois Associated Architects works in a continuous workshop spirit with a multidisciplinary team of architects, engineers, graphic artists and town planners from different cultural backgrounds. The projects produced by the office have been recognized a international level and published in both local and international books, magazines and websites.
by AN shopfitting magazine no.133 ©
