MINU


Typology Restaurant /shop / cafe design
Year 2020

Architectural Design Qoop metalworks & Hyle design studio
Site supervision Qoop metalworks & Hyle design studio

Qoop metalworks and Hyle design studio designed and supervised the construction of the Minu Athens space.

From the beginning, the concept of the business revolved around various sectors. The space for selling plants, furniture and design objects had to simultaneously be a welcoming and comfortable environment for enjoying a coffee, a cocktail, for browsing a book or for a relaxed conversation. The activity that would take place at Minu Athens would be strongly combinatory and hybrid, but with the elements that frame it, very carefully selected.

Thus, an abstract map was created on which the different elements of the composition began to be identified and acquire distinct characteristics.

The architectural shell remains as raw and unified as possible, the central special construction of the bar organizes functions and movements, the space in the background is dedicated to the overthrow of balances, the furniture functions as an exhibit and at the same time is fully utilitarian.

The building that houses Minu Athens was a very interesting starting point. On the one hand, it is organized behind a preserved neoclassical facade, on the other hand, after years of interventions; its interior had ended up as a space very densely divided by plasterboard and other synthetic materials that showed no connection with the heavy and solid shell.

The decision was quickly made to remove all unnecessary partitions and linings in order to unify the space and search for qualities that an organism that has suffered damage over time brings. Furthermore, the idea, with planting playing a leading role, required as much light as possible to circulate vertically and horizontally, resulting in additional holes being opened in the roof.

The roof being wooden, well-preserved and with an interesting frame, was a good opportunity to turn the gaze upwards, while climbing plants and hanging lights further emphasize the verticality of the two-story part of the central space.

The floor followed the same logic, the various synthetic, acquired coatings were removed and a new layer of concrete was created, mostly for reasons of leveling the levels, and was left almost untreated.

Within the framework of a unified flow sensation, the boundary of the sanitary areas was negotiated, allowing increased permeability, creating a play of vision and reflection.

The last room in succession, having been in the first phase a purely auxiliary space, inaccessible to the public, remained relatively dark and awkward. To overcome the awkwardness, a very intense character and a reversal of balance were sought. The untreated walls predisposed to increased roughness and very quickly it was perceived as a natural part, more an extension of the courtyard and less part of the building.


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