1216 NOLAN ATHENS

Nolan restaurant + bar, located in downtown Athens, integrates into the dynamic urbanscape, offering contemporary gastronomic experiences within a space designed to evoke the nostalgic memories of Athens in the ’60s and ’70s.

The primary design intention of Trail Practice team was to make the food preparation area visually accessible from both the seating area and the surrounding streets. This decision aimed to enhance the immediacy between preparation and consumption while conveying the kitchen’s vibe to visitors and passersby. To achieve this, the kitchen was positioned at an intermediate level, utilizing the double height of the space and freeing up part of the ground floor for alternative uses. In doing so, the elevated kitchen became a dominant element of the architectural synthesis. The large glass openings on all sides created a space of free visual flow, effectively blurring the boundaries between inside and outside.

The creative use of materials aimed to seamlessly integrate the space into the urban fabric. To achieve this, materials such as terrazzo, marble, wood, and metal were selected, referencing a familiar past and creating a welcoming environment. Traditional techniques, such as marble ortho-masonry, were combined with the unconventional use of terrazzo on the ceiling, establishing a simple yet imposing atmosphere. The retro feel of the marble and terrazzo, the contemporary aesthetics of the bar’s metal grid, and the wooden details in furniture and decorative objects highlight Trail Practice’s emphasis on the fusion of functionality and art, merging familiar materials and structures in unexpected ways and techniques.