Maison du Vin, Kennedy Ave, Nicosia, 2005

Maison du Vin is a small chain of wine shops, the Nicosia shop Kennedy Avenue was designed by Vakis Associates in 2005. The art of winemaking, tasting and buying is a task best done in the cellars of a chateau, not in a typical characterless commercial unit, 5x8x5m high with a mezzanine floor half the size of the ground floor. Into this space we have inserted a barrel vaulted structure as a strong symbol reminiscent of the archetypal wine cellar. The areas behind the vault are used for storage, stairs and services etc. The mezzanine floor nearer the roof of the vault, with limited headroom, is used for wine seminars and tasting events.