MPNYC transforms Piraeus warehouse into multifunctional cultural hub
Adaptive reuse project creates flexible workspace for art, craft, and design collaboration
1Industrial heritage reimagined
MPNYC converts a 150-year-old Piraeus warehouse into a multifunctional cultural space, preserving its industrial character while adding contemporary functionality. The building previously served as port storage, cargo units, repair workshops, and film production spaces. Architects employed adaptive reuse principles, treating the structure as a 'found object' to reveal its historical layers. The project opens in October 2026 with a photography exhibition, establishing a new creative hub in Piraeus's urban fabric.
2Architectural subtraction strategy
The design team removed layers of later construction to expose the building's original features, including timber shutters hidden within walls and the original fir roof. They restored doorways to improve daylight penetration and reused reclaimed brick for new partitions. Existing masonry and concrete structures were cleaned and left exposed, creating a dialogue between old and new. This approach contrasts with typical showroom designs by maintaining visible traces of the building's multiple past lives.
3Flexible spatial programming
The space functions as a 'slider' with rooms that transform based on user needs. A kitchen doubles as workshop or pop-up restaurant, while meeting rooms convert to gallery spaces. Designed by Andreas Kostopoulos, the venue facilitates collaboration across art, craft, and design disciplines. This adaptability extends to furnishings, with exhibition props from MPNYC's Castor Place project repurposed as tables and display units, demonstrating circular design principles.
4Material storytelling
The design integrates the building's history into its new function through strategic material choices. Original timber tool-storage cabinets become bookshelves, while exposed masonry walls serve as gallery surfaces. A liquid-metal insulation finish references MPNYC's nearby Castor Place project. These decisions create an environment where architecture itself becomes part of the display, avoiding the neutrality of conventional showrooms while celebrating industrial heritage.
5Structural interventions
Key modifications include removing suspended ceilings to reveal the historic roof structure and restoring original openings with minimal steel pivot doors. Recent partitions were retained but repurposed, with former dividing walls transformed into exhibition surfaces. The corner space, which underwent significant past alterations, received special treatment with liquid-metal insulation, creating visual continuity with MPNYC's adjacent project.
6Community-focused design
Kostopoulos envisioned the space as a real-world platform for creative exchange, where practitioners from different disciplines can collaborate. The design encourages this interaction through flexible layouts and multipurpose areas. Unlike traditional cultural venues, the project maintains an industrial aesthetic while providing professional-grade facilities, reflecting Piraeus's working-class heritage alongside contemporary creative needs.
7Sustainable preservation
The project demonstrates how adaptive reuse can sustainably extend building lifespans while reducing construction waste. By repurposing existing materials like brick and timber, and incorporating elements from other MPNYC projects, the design minimizes new resource consumption. This approach preserves embodied energy while creating a distinctive character that commercial new-builds often lack, setting a precedent for industrial heritage revitalization.
8New model for creative spaces
MPNYC's project offers an alternative to conventional cultural venues by combining workspace, exhibition area, and showroom in one adaptable environment. Its success could influence how cities repurpose industrial buildings, particularly in port areas undergoing transformation. The design balances preservation with innovation, creating a template for future projects that honor history while meeting evolving creative industry needs.