Barbershop in Corfu Town

Corfu, Greece

Date: March 2024

Location: Corfu, GR

Size: 39m2

Type: Renovation

Program: Barbershop

Status: Completed

The barbershop, affectionately known as the "Barberiko," is a sanctuary of grooming and beauty, as well as a vibrant hub for social interaction and community engagement. Isola Studio undertook the comprehensive renovation of this barbershop in Corfu, focusing on both aesthetic enhancement and the functional needs of the barbers. Since its inception in 2005, the "Barberiko" had never undergone a renovation, making significant architectural interventions essential for its improvement. Key design elements included the complete replacement of the flooring with architect-designed cement tiles and the installation of solid oak frames to replace the old glass façade.

The main layout of the barbershop, developed in consultation with the barbers and observed by the architects, features a waiting area, a washing area, the main haircutting area with chairs, and the cashier's desk. Additionally, the inclusion of a WC and the creation of extra storage space were necessary. The architects aimed to emphasize the importance of each area by using different materials to enhance the spatial experience for customers, creating a ritual of grooming and relaxation.

In the waiting area, the previously uncomfortable chairs were replaced with a large green sofa facing the main haircutting area. This allows customers to watch the haircutting process while waiting for their turn. Behind the sofa, stainless steel shelves were installed to display and promote products. An outdoor bench, integrated into the new wooden frames of the façade, was also added to the waiting area. Recognizing the barbershop as a place where people gather and exchange news and information, the architects took advantage of the warm climate to create multiple pleasant spaces for social interactions both outdoors and indoors.

The old chairs were replaced with new ones featuring a vintage aesthetic, and the countertop was designed to include essential storage space with drawers and room for equipment and tools. Custom-made mirrors, considered an integral part of the new layout, were also designed to adorn the walls. Underneath the existing mezzanine, the washing area was completely reorganized, and a new children’s haircutting station was created. A significant addition to this area is a stainless steel shelf covering the entire wall, adding an illusion of depth.

The cashier's desk, surrounded by travertine marble, has a bar-like atmosphere as noted by many patrons. Behind it, a large cabinet with a wardrobe, storage space, and shelves was installed, allowing barbers to offer tea or coffee to customers to make their waiting time more pleasant.

Instead of camouflaging the existing mezzanine that is used as a storage space, the architects highlighted it by placing and lighting artificial plants behind a semi-transparent glass wall. On the façade, the old shop sign was also replaced with a new illuminated one, designed by the architects.

By using material contrasts, from natural materials like marble and wood to hard stainless steel surfaces, the architectural design seeks to balance the old with the new, modernizing while maintaining a connection to tradition. This typical barbershop daily gathers the thoughts and concerns of the neighborhood's men, reflecting both their need for modernization and their ties to tradition.