Simões de Assis Art Gallery by Arquea Arquitetos

 Architects: Arquea Arquitetos 

A Contemporary Art Gallery Rooted in Sustainability and Urban Renewal

The Simões de Assis Art Gallery, designed by Arquea Arquitetos, redefines how architecture can enhance cultural engagement in Curitiba, Brazil. Rather than opting for new construction, the project embraced adaptive reuse and sustainable renovation, transforming an existing property into a contemporary gallery that seamlessly blends with the city while amplifying the visibility of art.

For the architects, the commission was more than a design challenge; it was an opportunity to reaffirm that revitalizing existing structures is one of the most sustainable architectural practices. By reimagining spaces, they created a project that not only celebrates art but also contributes to the urban fabric by bringing people closer to cultural expression.

Spatial Experience and Exhibition Flexibility

The gallery’s interior prioritizes versatility, enabling a variety of artistic formats—from large-scale installations to intimate exhibitions.

• Ground Floor: The double-height mezzanine at the entrance reaches over 7 meters, while the remaining spaces maintain 4-meter-high ceilings. This generous scale supports monumental artworks and immersive installations, allowing curators to continually reinvent the exhibition experience.
• Layout: A symmetrical floor plan organizes the space into two adaptable exhibition halls, complemented by a central café and lounge area that encourage social interaction, reflection, and dialogue.
• Upper Floor: Administrative offices share space with an additional exhibition hall that overlooks the mezzanine, reinforcing spatial connectivity and offering layered curatorial possibilities.

This balance between functionality and openness reflects Arquea Arquitetos’ commitment to designing environments that foster both cultural display and human connection.

Architectural Transparency and Urban Integration

The existing glass façade of the building was preserved to strengthen the relationship between the gallery’s interior and the urban streetscape. The transparency blurs boundaries between public life and the world of art, making exhibitions visible to pedestrians and passersby.

To refine the façade’s performance, two key interventions were introduced:

1. A redesigned entrance door, allowing easier logistics for the transport and installation of large-scale works.
2. A perforated metal skin, composed of patterned metal plates, installed in front of the glass. This new architectural layer acts as a solar filter, protecting artworks from direct sunlight while maintaining transparency and visual dialogue with the street.

The façade becomes both a protective veil and an inviting gesture, reinforcing the gallery’s presence in the urban landscape.

Landscape Design: A Pedestal for Art

The site’s steep setback between sidewalk and entrance posed a challenge but also inspired a distinctive solution. Instead of isolating the building, the architects designed a unifying staircase that stretches across the entire façade.

This gesture serves multiple purposes:

• It overcomes the slope while integrating the entrance sequence.
• It doubles as landscaped garden beds, softening the transition between public space and gallery.
• It acts as a podium or pedestal, elevating the gallery and reinforcing its architectural presence.

This thoughtful intervention transforms the approach to the gallery into a ritual of ascent, framing the building as an object of cultural value while remaining accessible and inviting.

A Gallery as a Cultural Bridge

The Simões de Assis Art Gallery is not just a space for displaying art; it is a cultural landmark that connects the city’s everyday life with contemporary artistic production. By combining sustainable renovation, flexible spatial design, and strong urban presence, Arquea Arquitetos created a building that both respects its context and elevates the public’s experience of art.

All photographs are works of  Eduardo Macarios