Palco Factory by IF-Untitled Architecture

This industrial complex – home of a clothes-manufacturing company in the ‘80s – was rejuvenated to create a distinct contemporary space that hosts residential lofts and a large and open cultural space. The new facade takes a prominent position, as it expresses a new topography of urban living activities: the occupants can become involved in forming the streetscape by designing their own balcony, while the interior design of the lofts provides them maximum flexibility. The architects uncovered and emphasized the building’s industrial character by exposing the heavy concrete superstructure on its facades and interiors. An imposing ‘cut’ was made into the existing volume to allow light and transparency filter into the deep ground plan. The cut creates a vertical space in the center of the building and an entrance to the cultural spaces on the upper ground floor. The ‘HUB’ was designed to host art happenings, installations and video projections, exposing the history of the building and simultaneously allowing for a new housing typology in Athens to be generated. It aims to become a place for public debate, cultural events and public exhibitions, a new center for cultural activity within the city.