Karenta S.A. - Mandyla Group of Companies Office and Automobile Showroom

Vouliagmenis Ave, Argyroupoli, Attica, 1992-1997

Architect
Alexandros Samaras (1949-)



This postmodern office building and showroom is an unconventional prestige building erected by private business initiative. It was designed with particular expressive demands by the architect Alexandros Samaras in order to demonstrate the dynamism of Karenta S.A. and the Mandyla Group of companies on one of the most important thoroughfares in the Attica Basin.
After the new charting of Vouliagmenis Ave, a building previously standing on the lot turned out to be in an oblique position in terms of the street line. The shell of the building was retained and the disadvantage of its position was utilised inventively in its radical remodelling. This remodelling maximised the surface of the façade and the projection of the showroom.
Two perforated curtains intersect the building parallel to the main road, improving its relationship with it. These curtains run through the building and organise its interior. On the ground floor, the showroom for selected automobiles is separate from the main showroom-sales area. It is 6 m. high and constitutes the core of the building. The administration offices are located on the interior balcony of the mezzanine surrounding the core. There are also office areas in the basement and on the first floor, behind the curtain. On the building’s roof, between the two curtains, openings have been created to permit natural lighting; they are regulated electronically according to the hour of the day.
The building is faced entirely with a glass curtain in contrast to the "stylistic scenery" of the perforated curtains that appear as solid surfaces from which the showroom juts out obliquely. The ground floor of this area is set in and the visible supports are faced with metal.

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