Nisi
Clothing Concept Store
Preveza, 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
The client sought to create a distinctive clothing exhibition space centered around an unconventional sales scenario. The square-like ratio and irregular boundaries of the existing space significantly influenced the design.
A central core organization was chosen, with a prism at the geometric center acting as the focal point for movement, circulation, and layout, while discreetly housing the cash register. This approach created a dynamic “catwalk” around the central volume, enhancing the sense of space and prolonging the visitor’s stay. Key materials included pleated white ceramic tile, gold-painted steel, duo-colored mosaic tile, and black glazed micro-tile, while the central cashier’s bench was made of red lacquered plywood.
Upon entering, visitors are immediately drawn to the vivid red cashier “box,” a visually striking composition of two contrasting elements that support each other structurally yet differ in design. The base, a light steel structure, functions as a bench, while the solid prism conceals the cash register. A steel column rises from this core, supporting X-shaped beams that hold the spotlights, breaking the symmetry while emphasizing the primary walking paths. The perimeter walls act as a neutral yet textured canvas that highlights the products, with custom-made hangers appearing to float, adding to the unconventional feel of the store.
The facade is deliberately minimalist, with a “floating” steel hanger as its centerpiece, anchoring from a single point and curving at the end. This dynamic element challenges the traditional hanger concept, enhancing the displayed products both inside and outside. Internally, steel and glass “bookcases” exhibit shoes and bags, creating visually permeable boundaries that double as mezzanine balusters, emphasizing the height and openness of the space. Behind the main steel grid, an extended fitting room area features mirrors that expand the space’s perception while concealing smaller fitting rooms.
The mezzanine serves as both a secondary exhibition area and an observatory, visually connecting with the ground floor. Different flooring patterns reflect functional divisions, contributing to a playful aesthetic. Lighting, a key element in ADD’s designs, follows the geometric principles, with indirect lights hidden within hangers and spotlights integrated into steel structures. The lighting design creates both day and night scenarios, ensuring the store remains visually attractive even when closed.
