minas kosmidis' fish market restaurant opens in limassol, cyprus

located in limassol, cyprus, the fish market restaurant has recently opened for business, and it’s no secret what they have to offer for the public. completed by greek architecture and interior design studio minas kosmidis, this vibrant food hub offers fresh fish, shells, sushi, and any kind of marine delicacy on their menu.  

view of the common table from the sea entrance
all images © studiovd : n.vavdinoudis – ch.dimitriou 

beyond the restaurant’s cuisine, minas kosmidis has been influenced by the advantageous position of the building in the renovated port of limassol, the orientation towards the sea, the view of fishing boats, the trawls and fishing auction. taking also into account the demands of the customer, an affordable, functionally correct, aesthetically attractive space had to be created with a clear and intense character related to the product that would be served. even more, this restaurant should be the first in a chain of others to follow. consequently, a first pilot space had to be set up, taking into consideration its dynamic development to a strong brand which would have continuity.

the fish market restaurant offers  a clear and intense character related to the product that would be served

the fish market is developed unto two levels, with similar design patterns, and each features its corresponding exterior space. at ground floor, the outdoor area is signaled by a showcase referring to the aesthetics of a fish market while above the tables, the wattle of the shelter and luminous globes wrapped in a sea net complete the image and give an impression of continuity of the port; the same setting also appears in the interior of the restaurant. as a symbolic base of the design concept, a deep sea-blue color has been selected for the roof. furthermore, a dominant feature of the ground level is the fish crates which compose the background and borrow the greek-cypriot marine culture — from lamps symbolizing bait wrapped in paper and nailed in hook. 

close up of the fish paper and hook lamps that evoke the greek-cypriot marine culture

however, there were a lot of limitations concerning the existent building  which caused specific difficulties throughout the design. floors,  plaster board ceilings, frames and  stairs had to remain as is, restricting intervention to a superficial level. during the process, a variety of attraction poles were aimed to be created in an already shaped and restricted shell — with different ideas of the proposal to be joined in the most correct way for each situation.

this project is the first of a chain of restaurants which would soon follow

above tables, the wattle of the shelter and luminous globes remind visitors of a fishing boat

consistent use of sea-blue color tones and wood to reflect a complete image of the port and fish market

view of  the bar and the fish crates along the wall of the ground floor

since the staircase had to be minimally intervened on, artworks on the wall and hook lamps complete that space

first floor: table booths 

a consistent atmosphere is applied throughout all levels of the restaurant

each floor is accompanied by its corresponding outdoor terrace

project info:

design: minas kosmidis (architecture in concept)
project: ‘the fish market’ restaurant 
place: old marina limassol , cyprus 
area: 200 sq.m (indoor) , 220 sq.m (outdoor)
completion time: march 2016 – may 2016
lighting design: minas kosmidis (architecture in concept)
graphic design: minas kosmidis (architecture in concept)
 

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edited by: lea zeitoun | designboom