EAA - Emre Arolat Architecture

Pilevneli Gallery

Pilevneli Gallery
© Thomas Mayer

PILEVNELI GALLERY

EAA - Emre Arolat Architecture

ARCHITECTS
EAA - Emre Arolat Architecture

PHOTOGRAPHS
Thomas Mayer

LOCATION
Istanbul, Turkey

AREA
935.0 m2

PROJECT YEAR
2017

DESIGN TEAM
Zeynep Arolat, Dilşad Anıl, Deniz Kosemen

CATEGORY
Gallery, Museum & Exhibition Interiors

MANUFACTURERS
SIMES, Jotun, iGuzzini, Nurus

 ENGINEERING
Viramer Engineering & Construction

CLIENTS
Pilevneli Gallery

COLLABORATORS
Skec Architects

Text description provided by architect.

Pilevneli Gallery is an assertive example of adaptive re-use located in Dolapdere, a district at Taksim.

Pilevneli Gallery
© Thomas Mayer
Pilevneli Gallery
© Thomas Mayer

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
© Thomas Mayer
Pilevneli Gallery
© 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.

Pilevneli Gallery
© Thomas Mayer
Pilevneli Gallery
© Thomas Mayer

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.

Pilevneli Gallery
© Thomas Mayer
Pilevneli Gallery
© Thomas Mayer

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
© Thomas Mayer
Pilevneli Gallery
© 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.

Through this isolated neutral envelope of the white cube, certain frames were cut out to reveal specific scenes from the neighborhood.

Pilevneli Gallery
© Thomas Mayer
Pilevneli Gallery
© Thomas Mayer
Pilevneli Gallery
© Thomas Mayer

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
© Thomas Mayer


Pilevneli Gallery
Pilevneli Gallery / Emre Arolat Architecture
Pilevneli Gallery
Pilevneli Gallery / Emre Arolat Architecture

Pilevneli Gallery
Pilevneli Gallery / Emre Arolat Architecture

EAA - Emre Arolat Architecture
T +90 212 2847073 F +90 212 2847063
EAA - Emre Arolat Architecture
Levent, Nispetiye Mah., Aytar Cad. No:24 Kat:3-4, 34340 İstanbul, Turkey