MPNYC transforms 19th-century warehouse into Castor Place in Piraeus

Manhattan Projects New York City (MPNYC), led by Andreas Kostopoulos, has transformed a 19th-century warehouse in Piraeus, Greece, into Castor Place, a flexible cultural venue. The project reactivates the 1850s masonry structure through a process of subtraction, removing accumulated layers and restoring sealed openings to reintroduce natural light. Kostopoulos, a former associate director at Diller Scofidio + Renfro, employs indeterminacy as a design tool, using modular staging, adaptable lighting, and an open floor plan to allow the space to reconfigure for lectures, exhibitions, performances, and gatherings. The venue's name references Kastoros Street and the Dioscuri twin Castor, embedding a narrative of duality. The interior unfolds in a three-part sequence: the Hall for large gatherings, the Atrium with a garden-like atmosphere under skylights, and the Loft as an elevated flexible platform. Whitewashed surfaces highlight raw masonry textures, while balconies and multiple elevations support simultaneous uses. The approach recalls Cedric Price's unbuilt Fun Palace, prioritizing openness and adaptability over fixed form. Photographs by Yiorgos Kaplanidis document the project.