Designed by Karn Studio in Patras, DYO EXI DEKA redefines the typology of the neighbourhood store as an open, permeable environment mediating between street and interior. Through this spatial openness, the project establishes a contemporary urban interior — a lively civic room embedded within the everyday life of the city.
Conceived as an open and permeable environment, DYO EXI DEKA operates as an intermediary spatial condition between the city and the interior, transforming the conventional cafe-bar space into an active extension of the public realm.
Central to the design is the notion of transparency and continuity.
Rather than establishing a clear separation between inside and outside, the project deliberately blurs these boundaries through a series of large openings, pivoting doors, and minimal thresholds. This approach allows the activity of the cafe to extend naturally onto the sidewalk, fostering visual exchange and encouraging interaction with the surrounding urban context.
The façade becomes less a limit and more a membrane, facilitating a constant dialogue between the interior life of the space and the everyday rhythms of the street.
Internally, the spatial organization is defined by openness and flexibility. The program unfolds within a single, uninterrupted volume, articulated not by partitions but by the existing structural columns that subtly organize movement and occupation. A clear visual axis establishes an immediate connection between the entrance and the service counter, creating a legible spatial sequence that gradually reveals the various functions of the store while preserving a sense of openness throughout.
The generous ceiling height further amplifies the perception of spaciousness, allowing the interior to breathe and accommodating a carefully integrated lighting strategy.
Suspended linear luminaires trace the length of the space, introducing rhythm, scale, and visual order. Their industrial character complements the project’s restrained material palette while reinforcing the clarity of the spatial composition. Materiality is deliberately robust and understated. Exposed brickwork at the service counter introduces texture, tactility, and warmth, providing a counterpoint to the smooth continuous flooring and the neutral-toned envelope that defines the broader interior. A distinct green-and-white tiled surface marks zones of pause and interaction near the façade, subtly guiding movement and suggesting different modes of occupation without disrupting the overall spatial continuity.
The project embraces an honest architectural language through the deliberate exposure of metal frames, visible mechanical installations, and off-the-shelf construction elements.
Rather than concealing these components, the design celebrates their presence, cultivating a utilitarian aesthetic that is both direct and refined.
Natural light plays a fundamental role in shaping the atmosphere of the interior.
Perimeter glazing on two sides ensures continuous visual contact with the city, drawing daylight deep into the space while reinforcing its relationship with the urban environment.
Strategically positioned planting softens the industrial vocabulary of the project, introducing a domestic scale and a sense of informality that enriches the user experience.
The adaptable furniture arrangement further supports the flexibility of the space, enabling it to accommodate both everyday commercial activity and collective gatherings. Through this balance of openness, material restraint, and spatial generosity, DYO EXI DEKA proposes a contemporary urban interior, establishing a lively civic room embedded within the everyday life of Patras.
Facts & Credits
Title DYO EXI DEKA
Typology Interior, Cafe-Bar
Location Patras, Greece
Area 173 m2
Status Completed, 2026
Architecture Karn Studio
Lead design Karagianni Nancy
Design team Makarona Labrini
Brand Identity Jecor studio
Photography Bessawissa studio
Text by the authors
Take a look at another project by Karn Studio, ‘LUKUMAΔES Acropoli’, here!