Ergon Agora East Re-Interprets the Supermarket Experience

 

Ergon Agora East – The challenge was to re-interpret the common supermarket experience, by introducing a new vocabulary of materials and forms. An additional challenge was to intervene in an existing, old industrial shell and create a new, modern and of high-quality space.

Architizer chatted with Tasos Georgantzis, Managing Director at Urban Soul Project, to learn more about this project.

Architizer: What inspired the initial concept for your design?

Tasos Georgantzis: ERGON already has a visual identity in terms of spatial design so we had in our hands a range of elements to shape Agora’s identity. This identity is based on greek materiality, tradition, architecture colours and forms. This identity is always the starting point in every ERGON project. Specifically in this case, we were inspired by our own experience in markets, both open and closed. We wanted to design a space that combines different uses, for different hours and different age groups.

This project won in the 10th Annual A+Awards! What do you believe are the standout components that made your project win?

ERGON Agora East is innovative for two reasons: not only it proposes a new way to design a supermarket but also proposes a way to re-use an existing industrial shell. Regarding the second point, the changes made to the building were subtle but significant: the roof was opened in order for the daylight to enter the building, and also with the opening of the southwest side the building becomes integrated with its environment. ERGON Agora’s design is minimal, respects the existing structure and creates a new narration using old materials.

What was the greatest design challenge you faced during the project, and how did you navigate it?

The greatest challenge in ERGON Agora East design process was the request to fit in one space different uses, define a hierarchy among them and achieve to keep them connected, not separated. ERGON Agora East is at the same time a super market, a winery, a restaurant, a bakery and a garden.

Consultants

Electromechanical Study: Charalambos Charalambidis / Metalwork: Damon Sidiropoulos / Woodwork: Aris Iliadis / Landscape Design: FYTRON, Urban Soul Project

For more on Ergon Agora East, please visit the in-depth project page on Architizer.

Ergon Agora East Gallery