elc team
A multidisciplinary venue bringing together exhibitions, design, performances, workshops, hospitality and gastronomy through an evolving programme inspired by the rhythm of the port.
A former industrial workshop in Piraeus has been reimagined as .sympan, a new multidisciplinary space where contemporary art, design, hospitality and everyday life intersect. Conceived by artist and designer Kosmas Karavas as part of the wider Lab Piree Superstudio ecosystem, the venue is designed not simply as an exhibition space but as a living platform for collaboration, experimentation and cultural exchange.
Housed in a historic building in the Agios Dionysios district, .sympan embraces the site’s industrial past while giving it a contemporary identity. Rather than preserving the building as a monument, the project allows it to evolve through the people, ideas and activities it hosts, creating an environment that changes continuously through use.
The ground floor combines exposed concrete, metal structures and original brickwork, highlighting the building’s industrial character. Around a central courtyard, the space accommodates exhibitions, workshops, performances and public gatherings, transforming with each new programme. Upstairs, four guest rooms offer a quieter, more intimate experience, recalling the atmosphere of old Piraeus homes while providing accommodation for artists, collaborators and visitors.
At the heart of .sympan is an all-day café that draws inspiration from the culinary traditions of Piraeus. Simple, familiar flavours -bread, olive oil, cheese and tomato- are presented without embellishment, accompanied by a permanent soundscape built around classic rebetiko recordings, reinforcing the connection between the space and its neighbourhood.
Located in Agios Dionysios, an area historically associated with the birthplace of Piraeus rebetiko, .sympan becomes part of a neighbourhood that has recently emerged as one of Athens’ most dynamic creative hubs, where contemporary galleries, wine bars and specialty cafés coexist with the district’s historic identity.
A Living Exhibition Format
The venue’s programming revolves around LOAD / UNLOAD, an evolving exhibition concept inspired by the everyday operations of the port. Like the constant movement of loading and unloading cargo, each cycle introduces new exhibitions, installations, design projects, talks, performances, DJ sets and gastronomic events. Rather than presenting static displays, .sympan encourages an ongoing process of arrival, transformation and renewal, where artists, designers, brands and visitors actively shape the space together.
As the newest addition to Lab Piree Superstudio, alongside PIREE, Lab Piree and Gonia, .sympan expands an ecosystem dedicated to fostering interdisciplinary collaboration between creatives, professionals and the public, positioning itself as a new cultural destination in Piraeus.
