KÖKI has opened in 2011 as an agglomeration shopping centre built in a multimodular hub with around 19 million visitors per year. With its inauguration, the centre has been given a number of renewed consumer functions, where residents, travellers and visitors can shop, do business, dine and enjoy themselves in a civilised and relaxed environment.
Long term thinking – the KÖKI strategy
The changing consumer and market needs, as well as the real estate developments in the surrounding area in recent years, have proven that there is a demand for a higher quality environment and services in Kőbánya-Kispest than the original. The new KÖKI owner Adventum Group, has therefore been the first to start upgrading the property in the recent period, with the expansion of shops and the creation of sophisticated paid toilet blocks.
Subsequently, the complete re-fitting of the 2000 m2 gastronomic space started in January this year and has been completed in July under the supervision of Tamás Dian (project manager) and Ádám Orosz (construction manager) of ProInterier Kft. Art Front Hungary Kft. and Kristóf Göbölyös were in charge of the interior design, while Csaba Vincze and Péter Kurucz managed the implementation and technical supervision on behalf of AddVal Kft.
The renewal of KÖKI FoodPort is the result of a well thought-out business strategy, as the renovation has resulted in an attractive community space, both in terms of its engineering solutions and aesthetics, which faithfully brings nature indoors, harmonises with the quality and ESG approach of KÖKI’s recently completed and planned future developments, and can even be used as a separate brand.
Ongoing constructions in a fully functioning mall
Construction works in a functioning building is always a challenge, especially in a busy shopping centre. Integrating a building site into this environment is less than ideal – even temporarily. For six months, the contractor ProInterier Ltd. has been working at night while there have been continuous coordination with the operations during daytime.
The job was divided into four phases, with each phase being repeated in the same stages. Due to the cooperation of all the project participants, the renewed FoodPort was completed on time, so that the former restaurant service of KÖKI could remain uninterrupted.
Sustainable design solutions tailored to local conditions of the KÖKI FoodPort
Both the design and construction of the KÖKI FoodPort was based on the use of existing materials, and thus allowed for an increased focus on waste reduction. In order to reduce the carbon footprint, the majority of floor coverings, monolithic suspended ceilings and ceramic pillar tiles were retained. Where floor slabs were removed, they were finely dismantled for later use. The rigid glass coverings of the pillars have been removed, and to take advantage of the minimalist style of the concrete surfaces live plants planted in lightweight steel installations have been installed.
The space is a veritable collection of sustainable and acoustic elements: instead of natural wood, the zones have been fitted with durable wood-effect floors, and all wood-effect wall and acoustic cladding is made from pressed material from an industrial by-product. Acoustic tiles made of rock wool and gypsum fibre derivatives provide noise absorption on wall surfaces, an effect further enhanced by the replacement of ceiling slats and linings with sound absorbing materials and the extensive use of panelled surfaces.
In addition to the reuse of existing table tops, the entire furniture has been renewed with different colours and materials according to the zones. The frames of the wooden and upholstered chairs installed were made from recycled and recyclable materials.
Gastro-tour with functional zones
The construction area of the KÖKI FoodPort was enclosed in a definite frame, with the remains of a two-storey café floating in the middle of the space, which hindered the transparency of this well-endowed and generous area. This has been removed and the new concept has created a transparent and easily accessible space in which the visitor can discover the full range of products without any spatial or visual obstacles.
This gastronomic circuit, easily accessible from the main internal circulation routes of the shopping centre, allows the creation of three main zones, segmented according to the public, where the division of space is reinforced by the levelling of certain zones, appropriate lighting solutions and green pergolas.
The more hidden booths in the business zone, with both traditional and USB plugs, are ideal for more confidential business meetings or even for people working remotely. The more open area of the youth zone has been given a brighter colour scheme with matching ‘lounge’ corners and power supply to match the business zone. And the family zone leads into a colourful and fun indoor play area where children can play safely under the supervision of their dining family and friends.
In addition to the revamped KÖKI FoodPort, from September KÖKI also welcomes new and old visitors to the newly opened DinoPark on the roof terrace of the shopping centre, where ProInterier Ltd. has completed the electrical work and the foundations for the 80 steel structure life-like dinosaur installations on display.
Property owner: Adventum Group
Project and technical management: AddVal Ltd.
Architect: Art Front Hungary Kft
Photo: Palkó György