Parking Garage with Marble Reception in Athens

Interior Design:

Oikonomakis Siampakoulis architects

Photography:

Yannis Drakoulidis

Material identity

The project involves the redesign of an enclosed parking area located at the intersection of Solonos and Asclepius streets in Kolonaki, central Athens.

Project Aim

The seven-story parking facility accommodates approximately 1,000 drivers daily and is situated in a bustling area characterized by high business activity and several prominent public institutions. Nearby landmarks include the Law School, the National Library, the University of Athens, the Academy of Athens, the Council of State, and the Cultural Centre of the Municipality of Athens. The surrounding densely populated neighborhood faces significant traffic congestion and a severe shortage of parking spaces relative to the daily demand. As a result, multi-story enclosed parking structures play a vital role in supporting the area’s functionality for those reliant on cars. However, many of these facilities are outdated and lack thoughtful design. This project, therefore, presents an opportunity to reimagine these essential infrastructural spaces, enhancing their functionality and improving the daily experience of the workers who rely on them.

Design Philosophy

From the outset of the design process, there was a strong alignment with the project owner, who emphasized the importance of focusing on the building’s ground floor to create a distinctive, one-of-a-kind space that would leave a lasting impression on parking customers. The design brief centered on the complete redesign and renovation of the ground floor, including optimizing traffic flow and parking arrangements while prioritizing the creation of a dedicated reception area for customers.

A key objective was to ensure that this 40m² reception area, serving as the building’s operational hub, would offer a comprehensive view of the entire 1,200m² ground floor and maintain clear sightlines to both entrances. To achieve this, the reception was strategically located in the space previously occupied by the offices and accounting department. The redesign utilized an open-plan layout and took full advantage of the triangular geometry of this section.

Material Palette

To ensure the reception area is highly visible and easily identifiable as the primary interaction point with the site staff, the design incorporates striking material contrasts. The circulation and parking areas throughout the ground floor are finished in white hues, while the reception area features natural black Damascus marble with brass accents. This deliberate use of bold, rich materials for the compact reception space was central to the project’s vision, transforming it into a striking focal point -a jewel at the heart of the expansive parking area.