Forest-Like

Agiou Dimitriou, Thessaloníki, Greece

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Forest-Like

Agiou Dimitriou, Thessaloníki, Greece

Firm

YEAR

2006

The project is the café / restaurant of the
Teloglion Foundation of Art that belongs to the Aristotle University of
Thessaloniki. The brief was to create a low cost space with strong identity,
where the members of the University can relax having coffee or lunch. The restaurant is situated right next to a
park and its large glass façade faces to the South. An Acacia tree is placed
right outside. The view of nature dominates the space through its invasion from
the building’s windows. The strong presence of nature
provided the inspiration for a forest-like synthesis. The main synthetic gesture is the
installation of a line of white metal tree-like sculptures between the columns.
Through this gesture nature manifests itself in an abstract way. Each “tree” is formed by two pieces,
(the trunk and the branch), combined in different ways and placed in different
angles. As the trees are placed among the
columns they divide the space into two different areas - restaurant and café -
allowing a visual communication between them. A large poster of leaves and
branches is hanged on the beam above the tree line to complement the impression
of a forest. Transparent vinyl colored cut outs
on the windows, translate the view into a trace of logs and branches. The
shadows of the cut outs mixed with the shadows of the Acacia tree outside
provide a mysterious and relaxing effect. The cut outs serve also as a sun
blocker. Mirrors, placed on the columns, multiply the
trees enhancing the forest-like impression. Light colored wood and dark brown
leather furniture give a warm feel. A series of yellow linear lights gives a
mystical atmosphere to the space, while at the same time it signals the
restaurant from the outside. The rest of the space is lit by spotlights and by
a colorful selection of Plexiglas lights.