Hair Salon at the Golden Hall

Hair Salon at the Golden Hall

GFRA architecture as Architects

The hair salon is situated in the 'Golden Hall' shopping centre in Marousi, Athens, next to the Olympic Stadium. The mall is located in the former IBC, the International Broadcast Centre of the 2004 Olympic Games, which was completely refurbished in 2008 as a shopping area that focuses on more exclusive brand, mainly for clothing. The owner and well established hairdresser Georgios Doudessis, with his strong opinion on design and architecture, asked the architects, gfra architecture, to design a unique space that could meet his expectations.


The deep and high space of the shop has a relatively small elevation, therefore the common relationship of a shop front between the inside and the outside space was rejected over completely opening the façade to welcome customers, while using the side walls to exhibit the articles usually expected in the shop front.


The space is divided vertically into two areas. On the ground floor the welcome - and service desk is located parallel to the linearly positioned hair-dressing tables. The mezzanine is used for more private functions such as manicure, pedicure and the massage area.


The overall space is designed combining two elements: the existing shell, with an industrial character, referring to the construction phase, and the new shell, using free forms and more refined materials to address the function of the shop.


Therefore the materials and colours chosen to support this concept are concrete-like cement plaster on the walls, industrial cement flooring and visible metal structures for the new walls made of gypsum board and unpainted sheet metal for the service and bar desk. The minimal stair, with triangular visible metal steps leads to the metal mezzanine construction. The floor of the mezzanine is also covered with untreated metal sheets.


The rough industrial character of these materials is contrasted by a choice of more refined materials suitable for a hairdressing environment. Thus parts of the walls and ceilings were covered with vinyl wallpaper, the service desks and the sinks were shaped out of corian, and completed with a wide use of mirrors, both for functional and decorative reason.


The ceiling is treated in similar ways as the overall space, with metal construction elements being visible above the false ceiling parts.


The lighting solution supports the division of the 'industrial' and 'decorative' shell. Wherever the construction is visible floodlights are used, in contrast to the finished vinyl parts where linear lights are inserted in the gypsum construction. The two shells never meet directly, but are always emphasized by a hidden light source between them.

Project Credits
Product Spec Sheet

Project Spotlight
Product Spotlight
News
Snøhetta designs new extension for the world’s oldest ski museum in Oslo
28 Mar 2024 News
Snøhetta designs new extension for the world’s oldest ski museum in Oslo

Global transdisciplinary architecture and design practice Snøhetta has designed a new entranc... More

10 public buildings that demonstrate architectural applications of precast concrete
27 Mar 2024 Specification
10 public buildings that demonstrate architectural applications of precast concrete

Precast concrete is made by casting concrete in a reusable mold. These molds are made of various mat... More

Sameep Padora and Associates creates a flowing, organic art center in southern India
26 Mar 2024 News
Sameep Padora & Associates creates a flowing, organic art center in southern India

Mumbai-based Sameep Padora & Associates (sP+a) has completed Hampi Art Labs in Toranagallu, a vi... More

Introducing Partner Thermory AS
26 Mar 2024 Partner News
Introducing Partner Thermory AS

Thermory AS offers a diverse product range that includes durable exterior cladding, decking, interio... More

Brooklyn Tower by ShOP Architects showcases a unique materiality
25 Mar 2024 News
Brooklyn Tower by ShOP Architects showcases a unique materiality

Brooklyn Tower, standing an impressive ninety-three stories tall with a unique neo-deco crown, is al... More

Doriana Fuksas, Martin Lesjak, Li Xiang and Steven Wright join Archello Awards 2024 jury
25 Mar 2024 Archello Awards
Doriana Fuksas, Martin Lesjak, Li Xiang and Steven Wright join Archello Awards 2024 jury

Doriana Fuksas, Martin Lesjak, Li Xiang and Steven Wright have been announced as Archello Awards 202... More

Vurpas Architectes converts former brick and concrete market into light-filled primary school in Lyon
22 Mar 2024 News
Vurpas Architectes converts former brick and concrete market into light-filled primary school in Lyon

The Eugénie Brazier school project in Lyon, France, undertaken by regional architecture studi... More

Detail: Pleated facade geometry of Bonfiglioli HQ by Peter Pichler Architecture
21 Mar 2024 Detail
Detail: Pleated facade geometry of Bonfiglioli HQ by Peter Pichler Architecture

Designed by Peter Pichler Architecture, the new Bonfiglioli Headquarters is located in Calderara di... More