The new art gallery is located in one of the most picturesque quarters of Piraeus, among old warehouses and workshops. Guided by the identity of the exhibition space as a “white box”, the design employs clean, austere lines, in a minimalist white background. The space alludes to a white canvas for highlighting the exhibited artworks, and the architectural composition establishes a quiet dialogue between modern and new. In this framework, the façade maintains its original appearance, and so does the century-old wooden roof, lit from below; those elements are brought into contrast with the acutely angular white walls underneath. The choice of the cool grey cement floor, combined with a few more extravagant touches in the bathrooms, further contribute to this goal. The white perforated metal sheet mezzanine and stairs, despite their modern appearance, allude to local metalsmith workshops, which had an active role in the construction of the project. This discreet architecture reflects the conversation between contemporary art, sheltered in the exhibition space, and the features of the urban surroundings.

Kokorelia Architects

The post Best of 2020: The IntermiΣΣion was originally published on ek magazine | Architectural Publications | ek magazine – Architectural Publications.

Carwan Gallery is a leading international contemporary design gallery founded in 2011 in Beirut, with a focus on promoting and producing cutting-edge collectible design from the Eastern Mediterranean region and beyond. Under the direction of Nicolas Bellavance-Lecompte and Quentin Moyse — both architects and creative entrepreneurs – the gallery moved from Beirut into its new space in Piraeus, located in a district of old warehouses that is rapidly turning into a creative hub.

Carwan places an emphasis on developing strong collaborations with cultural organisations, institutions, specialised press, collectors and patrons. The gallery has been invited to showcase its exhibitions at the most important art and design fairs in Dubai, Basel, London, New York and Miami, and has curated design exhibitions at numerous museums and art centers.

Thanks to its highly successful and critically acclaimed work, Carwan is considered a key player amongst the most important contemporary design galleries in the world. After nearly a decade of activities in Lebanon and its participation in more than 50 international exhibitions, the gallery opened its new space in Piraeus in September 2020.

The gallery develops exceptional cross-cultural collaborations that call attention to the region’s most compelling contemporary material culture. Carwan employs a comprehensive design approach via the plurality of its collaborations between architects, artists and designers, prompting a vital and rich exchange of ideas, influences, concepts and know-how.

Nicolas Bellavance-Lecompte
& Quentin Moyse

Giorgos Sfakianakis

The post Carwan Gallery was originally published on ek magazine | Architectural Publications | ek magazine – Architectural Publications.