Kafka

The current bookshop/café “Kafka”, located in Alexandroupolis, has been renovated thoroughly at the end of 2011.
It is made up from a collage of three different buildings, all dating back to the pre-war era.

The decision was made to restore the initial configuration of the buildings, by removing the concrete floor which was added on top of the common patio (2). It is replaced with a glass ceiling, which is now able to bring ample light into this otherwise narrow (3.4m) and dark space. A tree is placed underneath the glass ceiling, and the obligatory toilets are hidden underneath an inclined wall in order to maximize the sunlight which is able to enter inside. The old closed-off door which connected the building (3) located at the pedestrian alley with the common patio (2) is opened up again, and is now accessed through this inclined wall. The 3-sloped gabled roof with original wooden framework in the main building (3) is uncovered and restored. All original features of the buildings are maintained and restored. New additions do not try to suggest that they have any historic value and try to define their own intrinsic contemporary value. These new additions are abstract in form and focus on their material qualities. Instead of trying to impress with excessive design features, they give room to and match with the old genuine and simple character of the building. The east wall in the main building is covered with bookshelves which are self-supporting. The west wall accommodates a large L-shaped bench and tables for customers to sit. The bar is wrapped around the tree underneath the glass ceiling. All furniture is custom designed and built. The building (3) located at the back alley, which no longer has a roof, functions as an open air café which also hosts special events.