factory kitchen becomes window-filled cultural space in sepide elmi’s iranian gallery

Sepide Elmi turns factory kitchen into exhibition venue in iran

Designed as a cultural hub for workers and the local community, the Wall-Less Gallery by interdisciplinary artist Sepide Elmi transforms a long-unused kitchen space within the old Beeston factory near Kermanshah, Iran, into a venue for exhibitions and performances. Large windows replace traditional walls, resulting in an open, interactive environment. The design encourages visitors and factory residents—primarily workers who spend much of their week on-site—to engage in cultural activities, particularly music, which holds deep historical significance in the city.

This experimental approach challenges conventional gallery structures, rethinking how such spaces facilitate storytelling and engagement. By creating a setting where objects, subjects, and viewers interact without rigid barriers, the Wall-Less Gallery aims to provide a fresh perspective on the relationship between space, performance, and community.

images courtesy of Sepide Elmi

windows double as portals in Wall-Less Gallery

The factory, located 40 kilometers from Kermanshah, serves as a workplace for many who have limited access to the cultural offerings of the city. Recognizing this gap, Berlin-based Sepide Elmi introduces a performative space between production halls, inviting artists, citizens, and workers to share in cultural events. By prioritizing visibility and accessibility, the project reimagines the gallery experience, emphasizing interaction over isolation.

The reconfigured space uses windows as dynamic architectural elements, creating a dual function as walls and portals. These windows extend inward and outward, dissolving the boundaries between inside and outside. The central cubic space, framed by these openings, allows viewers to shift focus fluidly between the two realms, offering new ways of observing and experiencing performances and exhibitions.

designed as a cultural hub for workers and the local community

the Wall-Less Gallery by Sepide Elmi transforms a long-unused kitchen space within the old Beeston factory

large windows replace traditional walls, resulting in an open, interactive environment

the design encourages visitors and factory residents to engage in cultural activities, particularly music

this experimental approach challenges conventional gallery structures

rethinking how such spaces facilitate storytelling and engagement

the reconfigured space uses windows as dynamic architectural elements

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the central cubic space is framed by these openings

model of the space

diagram by Sepide Elmi

ground floor plan by Sepide Elmi

project info:

name: Wall Less Gallery
architect: Sepide Elmi | @sepidelmi
location: Kermanshah, Iran

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: thomai tsimpou | designboom