Pilevneli Gallery / Emre Arolat Architecture

Pilevneli Gallery / Emre Arolat Architecture

Pilevneli Gallery / Emre Arolat Architecture - FacadePilevneli Gallery / Emre Arolat Architecture - Windows, FacadePilevneli Gallery / Emre Arolat Architecture - Door, FacadePilevneli Gallery / Emre Arolat Architecture - Image 5 of 18Pilevneli Gallery / Emre Arolat Architecture - More Images+ 13

  • Design Team: Zeynep Arolat, Dilşad Anıl, Deniz Kosemen
  • Clients: Pilevneli Gallery
  • Collaborators: Skec Architects
  • City: Istanbul
  • Country: Turkey
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Pilevneli Gallery / Emre Arolat Architecture - Windows, Facade
© Thomas Mayer

Text description provided by the architects. Pilevneli Gallery is an assertive example of adaptive re-use located in Dolapdere, a district at Taksim. The area is currently undergoing an urban transformation focused on art and culture. The gallery is situated on the main street, its structure demands attention with its characteristic neutral facade of anthracite vertical lamella and neatly composed linear openings.

Pilevneli Gallery / Emre Arolat Architecture - Door, Facade
© Thomas Mayer

Up until five years ago, this underprivileged yet very central neighborhood dominated the commercial scene with its mechanics and mannequin showrooms. Today, we are witnessing the transformation of this unplanned, colorful, hectic environment with relatively small-sized buildings being replaced by hotels, galleries, and museums of larger more modern designs. Our approach resisted the current trend of eradication. We preferred to explore the vernacular of this typical Dolapdere building and documented our serendipitous encounters as opportunities in an attempt to get closer to its essence. The patina of overlapped coatings of paint and rough firebrick walls were minimally repaired to create clean yet original surfaces that reflect the traces of time. After being strengthened by additional steel beams, the grotesque concrete skeleton is cleaned, preserving its oblique nature.

Pilevneli Gallery / Emre Arolat Architecture - Stairs, Handrail
© Thomas Mayer

While keeping the soul of the place intact, a contrastingly clean and sharp 'white cube' is embedded to the north-east end of the structure to present an isolated 'experience of the arts'. The striking opposition in between the naked, old structure and the add-on plaster white exhibition surfaces is emphasized through the application of shadow gaps and angular lighting design.

Pilevneli Gallery / Emre Arolat Architecture - Image 14 of 18
© Thomas Mayer
Pilevneli Gallery / Emre Arolat Architecture - Image 17 of 18
Pilevneli Gallery / Emre Arolat Architecture - Concrete
© Thomas Mayer

Through this isolated neutral envelope of the white cube, certain frames were cut out to reveal specific scenes from the neighborhood. Within this rather secluded gallery experience, these frames provided conscious contact points with the hectic exterior. While celebrating the traces of the building’s and the neighborhood’s history, Pilevneli Gallery provides 1500 sqm of contemporary gallery space for both national and international artists.

Pilevneli Gallery / Emre Arolat Architecture - Facade
© Thomas Mayer

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Project location

Address:Istanbul, Turkey

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Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: "Pilevneli Gallery / Emre Arolat Architecture" 04 Jun 2019. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/918400/pilevneli-gallery-emre-arolat-architects> ISSN 0719-8884

© Thomas Mayer

Pilevneli 展览馆,旧建筑的新生长 / Emre Arolat Architecture

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