Paloma
Bar
Mykonos, Greece 2020
Architecture
ADD Architecture Studio
Interior & Light Design
ADD Architecture Studio
ADD Architecture Studio Design Team
Dionysis Koutsioumaris, Argyris Chronopoulos
Photography
ADD Architecture Studio, Andreas Bekas
Paloma, located in the Mykonian alleys, draws inspiration from the exotic beaches of the Pacific. Housed on the ground floor of a traditional Mykonian home, its interior features organic, cave-like curves. The existing walls, composed of unique spolia from various eras and plain mortar, follow the natural geometry of the hidden rock beneath.
The walls were divided into two parts: the lower section is coated in rough stucco to capture shadows from hidden lighting along the perimeter and floor. The upper section, with age-revealing cavities, is filled with interior plants. A rocky structure at the entrance was transformed into flower pots with integrated lighting.
The bar station is the focal point of the design, spanning both subspaces. In the first space, it serves as a worktop for bartenders; in the second, more private space, it becomes a serving bench. The bar façade features a multi-layered light apparatus, with the neon-lit “Paloma” sign. Hidden LED lights create a surreal effect, producing a “below water” ambiance with blue hues.
The traditional roof, supported by wooden beams, was reimagined as a unifying and indirect lighting element. Bamboo canes placed between beams create a perspectival illusion of a larger space.
A custom steel pendant light fixture spans the roof along the main circulation axis, generating various RGB light combinations to enhance the mood. This artistic piece, formed from triangles and circles connected by a crooked line, adds to the playful atmosphere.
Paloma is a vibrant mood-setting bar, blending art with an ocean-like vibe. The neon sign “sex and art are the same thing,” placed above the privé lounge, pays homage to Paloma, the daughter of Picasso, for whom the bar is named.
