Bella Gama | Transport Station in Patras

Contrasting materialities

The Bella Gamma transport station, an iconic building constructed in 1910, is situated on the city’s waterfront at the junction of Othonos-Amalias and Gerokostopoulou streets. After 123 years, the building is renovated, retaining its original function, and serving as the new transport center for the Kaimakas company.

Exterior Shell

During the renovation, the neoclassical character of the building is preserved, with minimal interventions made to revive and highlight the original structure. The additional decorative and structural elements such as signage and other alterations visible on the facades of the building are removed. The distinctive metal canopy is retained and clad in glass, allowing plenty of natural light into the interior, while at the same time acting as a reference to the station’s original canopy. New signage is discreetly placed on both sides of the building, promoting the corporate identity without obscuring the building’s existing architecture.

Interior Organization

The spatial organization addresses the two primary needs of the company. The part that is directly associated with the main street is used for the main loading and unloading of large parcels. Consequently, the design focuses on the complete restoration of the primary structure, creating a purely functional space. Existing partitions and decorative elements are removed, exposing the space’s double height, while conserving the timber roof. An additional small loft is used for surveillance of the transportation process.

The second part of the building, accessed from Gerokostopoulou Street, is designed to accommodate the company’s additional services and utility rooms. This existing section was partially submerged into the ground, resulting in low ceilings and insufficient natural lighting. To address this, a large portion of the loft was removed, creating a double-height space enhanced by natural light entering from an existing skylight on the roof. The remaining part of the loft is planned as a break-out area, featuring a kitchen and dining space for employees.

Material Palette

The varied materiality of the project is a defining feature of the overall design. Specifically, the historical building is aesthetically divided into three distinct parts: a refined exterior shell, a “raw” interior section where past deterioration and original materials are preserved as well as a second part that is clean, contemporary, and uniformly colored in the tones of the company’s brand identity, clearly separating the two interiors.