Green and white checkerboard tiling + exposed brick outline ‘DYO EXI DEKA’ Café Bar interiors in Patras

Located in Patras, Greece, DYO EXI DEKA is a project of 173 m² that reinterprets the typology of the neighborhood store as an open, permeable space that mediates between the street and the interior. The design, by KARN Studio, emphasizes transparency and continuity, dissolving the boundary between inside and outside through large openings, pivoting doors, and low thresholds that extend the activity of the shop onto the sidewalk.

The interior is organized as a single, flexible space articulated by structural columns rather than partitions. A clear visual axis connects the entrance to the service counter, allowing the program to unfold gradually while maintaining openness and legibility.

The generous ceiling height enhances the sense of spaciousness and supports a lighting system composed of suspended linear fixtures, which introduce rhythm and scale while reinforcing the industrial character of the space.

“Material choices are restrained and robust”.

Exposed brick at the counter provides texture and warmth, contrasting with the smooth, continuous flooring and the neutral-toned envelope. A green-and-white tiled zone marks areas of pause and interaction near the façade, subtly guiding movement and defining use without interrupting spatial continuity. Metal frames, visible installations, and off-the-shelf elements are deliberately left exposed, reinforcing an honest, utilitarian aesthetic.

Natural light plays a central role in the project. Perimeter glazing on two sides ensures constant visual contact with the city, while plants are strategically placed to soften the interior and introduce a domestic scale.

The furniture layout remains adaptable, allowing the space to shift between everyday use and collective gatherings. Overall, the project proposes a contemporary, inclusive interior that balances industrial clarity with warmth, creating a lively urban room embedded in the everyday life.

Facts & Credits:

Project title: DYO EXI DEKA, Project type: Interior – Cafe-Bar, Location: Patras – Greece, Design: KARN Studio, Lead design: Karagianni Nancy, Design team: Makarona Labrini, Brand Identity: Jecor studio, Area: 173sqm, Status: Completed in 2026, Text description: KARN Studio, Photography: Bessawissa studio