Natural emergence
In the heart of Patras, an old industrial building, originally constructed in 1910, has been repurposed into a modern architectural office and exhibition space. The building began as Agouridis’ distillery and later became the renowned Karydis carpentry shop. It remained in operational until 2005.
Existing Structure
The building, covering an area of 136m², is a single-story space with stone masonry walls and wooden-supported roofs. The primary goal of the architectural restoration was to preserve its key structural elements while enhancing their natural appearance through minimal interventions. In the first phase, the roof frame was preserved and reinforced. The old asbestos-cement roofing slabs were replaced with polyurethane thermal insulation panels. The new roof cladding is made of longitudinal translucent blocks, which offer the space additional natural light.
Spatial Layout
The interior is an open space, featuring a stone partition at the back where art and architecture seamlessly coexist. In the center, a 4.5m table serves as the main hub of the office, facilitating interaction between the team and the clients. The table is flanked by two large, iconic potted trees. The generous height of the space, along with the surrounding white walls, creates an ideal setting for displaying various artworks. At the back, a wc and a freestanding kitchenette provide a designated break and dining area. This area was once a courtyard, which was later legalized by the owners and adapted for use.
Interior & Exterior Integration
Building on the idea of the dynamic relationship between nature and architecture, the creation of a garden could have completed the project. However, in this case, it was seen as more challenging and rewarding to bring the garden inside. The two trees enrich the workspace by introducing a sense of life, while also establishing a connection with the public space outside through the glass façade. This is a space where the working environment continuously evolves, with the translucent ceiling panels casting a soft, diffused light throughout the day. From the outset, the primary objective was to design an open space that could transform with every exhibition it hosts, while remaining accessible to the public.