The municipality of Athens is on the hunt for a new, uniform look for its kiosk as part of an aesthetic and functional upgrade of the city. In this context, a competition was launched for new architectural design proposals, with two winners and one runner up having been selected. The two winners will receive the sum of 3,900 euros plus 23% tax, while the runner up will receive 2,200 euros plus tax.

Seven other architectural concepts that had been filed have been retained by the municipality of Athens with a view to use them for inspiration for the final design of the new kiosks.

Greek kiosks, selling newspapers, drinks, snacks, trinkets, souvenirs and more are an iconic symbol of the city which began life as a way of providing employment to the country’s war wounded a century ago. The first kiosk opened in Athens in 1911 and since then, some 17,000 kiosks operate across the country. Since 2012, the municipality of Athens has removed 214 out of use kiosks where no beneficiary was identified.

Speaking at the award ceremony, the Mayor of Athens George Kaminis explained the rationale of the design contest. “The historic center and beyond is in need of a new innovative, functional and stylish model of kiosk that will help upgrade the urban landscape and the image of the capital. This will also combat encroachments, lawlessness and violations of public space.” The Mayor stressed that it is not possible to continue with the current style of kiosk which sometimes spread onto sidewalks and grow to the size of small mini markets. “The current situation with illegal extensions around today’s kiosks must be eliminated.” he stressed.

The winning models will not be used in their current form. They are intended to act as a guide that may need alterations and improvements until the final form is decided upon. All the winning kiosk designs are on display at an exhibition at Technopolis in Gazi, downtown Athens until January 24, 2016. The Deputy Mayor of Technical Services, George Apostolopoulos described the proposals submitted as original and fresh. “They are ideas that can be used selectively or in combination, creating new models.”