The Life of Glass | Optics store in Thessaloniki

Contrasting concepts

Two identical properties were combined to establish an optical store in the suburbs of Thessaloniki. The distinctive green hue that defines the space is inspired by the natural tint of glass, a result of iron oxidation inherent in the material.

Spatial Layout

The building’s symmetry was preserved and accentuated by emphasizing key structural elements, including the two “eyes” on the façade, the central cross-shaped beams, and the dominant central support. The floor plan was designed around a central feature -a massive block of stacked glass surfaces that anchors the space, serving as both a display and storage area for products. This element acts as the store’s “control center,” organizing its core functions -storage, optical testing, and checkout- while defining a circular flow of movement around it.

Custom Structures

The custom seating is seamlessly integrated into the central element, designed to visually “disappear” when not in use. Mirrors, essential to the store’s functionality, also play a key morphological role, strategically positioned at the core to break the continuity and geometric “weight” of the structure. Product displays are arranged in two main internal showcases, extending along both surfaces of the side walls.

Design Philosophy

The exterior features a low-profile curtain wall, providing an unobstructed view into the store. A handcrafted curtain surface frames the openings, subtly directing the gaze outward. At the back of the store, the archive, optometry laboratory, and ancillary spaces are symmetrically arranged within the existing shell, enclosed in two separate, semi-private volumes for protection and organization.

The interplay of geometry, spatial relationships, and movement is designed to evoke simplicity, drawing attention to materiality and the immersive experience of exploration. Glossy surfaces contrast with the raw, unfinished shell, emphasizing the passage of time and the evolution of the space. The hybrid nature of the interior is further expressed through fractured mirrors and glossy, green-painted surfaces, creating shifting visual compositions that change dynamically as one moves through the store.

The core concept was the “correlation of dual existence” -the fusion of contrasting spatial ideas, elements, and materials. It explores the interplay between the natural and the artificial, the precise and the imperfect, the fragile and the sturdy, the solid and the fragmented, the partial and the complete, the unfinished and the definitive, repetition and uniqueness.