Lazonikos Cheese shop | Lefteris Tsikandilakis

The proposal concerns the renovation of a cheese shop in the area of ​​Alikarnassos in the city of Heraklion, Crete. The existing building is located in a busy area. Its total area is 39 m2, of which 20 m2 are intended for customer service space while the remaining 19 m2 are storage space. In the architectural proposal, the primary concern was the design of a functional space, which would highlight the entire surrounding area. The design is modern, with some basic traditional features that compose and highlight the identity of the store. Our first concern was to create a functional store, which despite its small size would give the feeling of comfort. On the facade of the building, a large opening has been designed where it contains the entrance of the store. This opening composes the shop window and allows passers-by to have visual contact with the products on the shelves, inviting passers-by to enter the store. Inside the store, a "C" shaped counter was designed where the cheese products are exhibited in elongated refrigerators. At the junction of the two axes, the cash area has been placed for the fastest customer service. On the west side of the store is a series of shelves for the exhibition of traditional products. In the northern part of the store there is a storage space for storing stocks. The proposal is completed with a selection of materials and decorative elements. The unveiling of the stone on the wall gives a special style to the store combined with some more traditional details. Opposite the entrance is a wooden structure (8) of eight parallel rectangular frames with rounded edges placed on a common wooden base. Each box has a tap at the bottom which is connected to a bag located in the storage area. The construction is quite reminiscent of a wine cellar. The wooden construction that adorns the wall opposite the entrance contains hidden lighting so as to attract the eye of the passer-by when the store is closed. The roof of the store is lined with a rectangular wooden structure consisting of smaller volumes of square frames. All the above choices of materials had as their ultimate purpose to highlight the identity of the store and to invite the passer-by to enter the store.