Located in the historical city center of Athens, the 20th century building that now hosts NOEL used to be an office building. NOEL is likely considered, at the moment, one of the most popular bars in Athens. The main objective was to renovate one of two main bars called “red bar”, using a French style concept.
As a part of NOEL is considered a historical structure, a number of restrictions were put on the design-project. Any changes to chandeliers, gilded mirrors, colour of walls, parquet design and shape of cornice were restricted.
The idea of keeping the image of a small bar along with the clients’s wish indicated our approach to search art image. As a result quite free way of interior finish focusing on paris cast metal architecture of 19th century was agreed.
In whole, the main concept of this project was to renovate the bar in such way that can act as a theater scene in order to be the show case of NOEL bar. Thus the classical decorative style is kept but is combined in a delicate way with allogenic objects.
The structure used to frame the striking picture by Jacques-Louis David as well as the lighting design solutions, manage to create a picturesaque image of the whole bar. As the main concept based on Sainte-Geneviève Library, iron was used in a prominent and visible way that can be combined with classical elements. Cast-iron columns – a ferrous structure behind the bar – divide the space into aisles and support openwork iron arches that carry barrel vaults reinforced by iron mesh.
A range of artwork curated by Fani Spyridaki adorns the walls. Pictures vary from hand- drawn impressions on the napkins of NOEL bar, through to oil paintings by Delacroix and portraits by Jan Vermeer. The common thread throughout is NOEL’s celebration of artistry and culminates with our choice of a striking picture by Jacques-Louis David behind the bar. In addition, a series of illustrations that featured on the glass façade on the staircase wall, were developed in the studio and are based on original tarot cards.
One of the main tasks for project designers was to create a warm and comfortable atmosphere of a home party rather than the image of a commercial public place. Similar idea was implemented for the walls floor and ceiling finishing. Dark wood panelling and a mosaic floor are off set with pops of bright colour from a selection of mismatched classic style stools.