"THE MARGIN"

8th Panhellenic Exhibition of Architectural Work

The Architects Αssociation of the Prefecture of Achaia organized the 8th Panhellenic Exhibition of Architectural Work entitled “THE MARGIN” in the exhibition space of the Argyris Market in the city of Patra from September the 9th to October the 9th, 2016.

Giannis Giannoutsos took part with his work “semi-open air cafe/reading area”.

"SEMI-OPEN CAFE/READING AREA"

The creation of a dynamic, introverted space—a receptacle of human activity—is proposed.

The study has to do with the conversion of an already existing structure to a semi open cafe/reading area. Interventions on the already existing shell are designed along certain compositional principles with the goal to transforming the space to an extension of the public thoroughfare, and distinguishing separate functional areas with a view to improving the site.

The café/reading area is placed in the center, while all ancillary spaces for visitors are relocated to a separate site.

An open-air area between the prime and the secondary functional zones is created. This compositional gesture brings about visual relief and openness.

The lightweight collapsible roof is preserved making it possible to modify the café from a closed to an open-air structure at will.

The resulting space introduces the concept of mutability, while the notion of “boundary” lends itself to manifold interpretations.