A former tire repair shop in Athens has been transformed into a unique listening bar and restaurant that celebrates its industrial heritage through creative design elements. The Voulkanizater, located in the city's inner Koukaki neighborhood, incorporates authentic automotive parts including wheel rims and car components as distinctive decorative features.
Designers George Vlasis Pakalidis and Artemis Valyraki drew inspiration from the building's original purpose as a tire workshop when creating the concept for this innovative dining establishment. The restaurant's name itself pays homage to its history, derived from the Greek word "voulkanizater" (βουλκανιζατέρ), which comes from the French "vulcanisateur," referring to the tire vulcanization process.
"The space and location of the current bar was previously a tire-fixing, or vulcanization, place," Pakalidis explained. "The area in general has a long history of tire shops, so we wanted to keep the memory in a fast-developing and highly gentrified neighborhood."
The design team preserved the building's original concrete walls while introducing warmer materials to create a welcoming atmosphere. Wood was strategically incorporated for both sustainability purposes and to provide contrast against the rough concrete surfaces, while metal elements were added to maintain the industrial aesthetic characteristic of traditional tire shops.
The designers implemented a "box-in-a-box" concept for the interior layout, creating an inner volume that houses the kitchen, storage areas, and restrooms, while the bar and dining area form an outer ring around this central core. The bar serves as the focal point of the space, featuring a striking metal construction that draws the eye upon entry.
One of the most distinctive features of the restaurant is the creative use of actual tire rims as ceiling decoration above the bar area. These wheel rims are mounted on metal beams within the bar's metal lightbox structure, where they are dramatically illuminated by LED lighting systems. The automotive theme extends to the restroom, where a car part has been repurposed as decorative element above the sink.
"We tried to approach the space as an art piece rather than just a restaurant hall," Pakalidis noted. "The tire marks are an extension of this story, trying to reference the old use of the space in an unexpected way, adding a little detail to the whole experience."
The interior design also draws inspiration from vintage logos and signatures of classic tire companies, including iconic brands like Michelin. This attention to historical detail reinforces the connection between the restaurant's current identity and its industrial past. The designers covered the ceiling with acoustic panels to optimize the space for its function as a listening bar, ensuring superior sound quality for music appreciation.
The restaurant's color palette remains deliberately dark and industrial, featuring grey concrete walls complemented by rich brown wood surfaces. Metal furniture throughout the space maintains consistency with the automotive theme while providing modern functionality. The contrast between these materials creates visual interest while honoring the building's heritage.
Advanced lighting technology enhances the dining experience at Voulkanizater. The establishment features strategically placed light projectors and a sophisticated lighting control system that allows staff to adjust the mood and ambiance as needed throughout different times of day and evening.
To improve privacy and acoustics, the designers installed extensive curtaining across the facade. This addition provides flexibility for different events and dining experiences while also contributing to better sound quality for the listening bar component of the establishment.
"We tried to give a new perspective and use in these materials while we are referencing the [tire] shops in a very abstract and contemporary way," Pakalidis explained, describing the balance between honoring the past and creating a modern dining experience.
The Voulkanizater represents a growing trend in Athens' rapidly developing Koukaki neighborhood, where historic industrial spaces are being thoughtfully repurposed for contemporary use. The project demonstrates how designers can preserve neighborhood character and industrial heritage while meeting the needs of modern urban dining and entertainment.
