maxim calujac wraps concrete in corten steel for chisinau's ARTCOR

ARTCOR – Creative Industries Center by maxim calujac

The ARTCOR – Creative Industries Center sits in the historic center of Chisinau in the courtyard of the Art Academy (AMTAP), with a vision to become a hub for the development of creative industries in Moldova. The corten steel design, signed by architect Maxim Calujac, takes cues from the plot’s configuration and the presence of the Cazimir-Keshco monument. The center comprises two units: a new building covering 400 sqm and a section of the existing Art Academy building spanning 450 sqm.

images © Volker Kreidler, Oleg Bajura, Ivan Bezvuscheak, etalpmet

hosting a new community hub as part of a historic building

ARTCOR by Maxim Calujac (see more here) hosts exhibitions, performances, and workshops, with a green roof terrace that can be accessed through open-air auditorium stairs. The renovated part of the Art Academy building includes spaces for workshops, a media library, and meeting rooms, with sound recording spaces and rehearsal rooms located in the refitted basement. According to the architect, the main goal is to offer a center for the creative community without altering the existing historical background while also transforming the courtyard into an active urban spot where visitors can explore all the opportunities that ARTCOR has to offer.

ARTCOR – Creative Industries Center by Maxim Calujac

concrete, corten steel, and wood

The new construction is a volume of reinforced concrete wrapped in Corten steel, with the interior design accentuating the building’s structural features, such as a caisson ceiling, internal auditorium staircases, and tinted concrete walls. The moderate interior design allows visitors to focus their attention on the exhibited artworks. Besides concrete and Corten steel, Calujac includes wood — and the smooth texture of the concrete contrasts with the rusted metal velvet surface of the Corten steel. Furthermore, the allocated section of the existing building is stripped of all non-essential finishes to reveal authentic materials, which are reused during construction and in the final stages. For instance, the wood of the old floors is cleaned and used in the interior wall decoration. At the same time, murals and built-in ceramic panels serve as decorative elements. Glass is widely featured as a transparent interconnection of zones. At the same time, the furniture and part of the ceiling lighting are designed Maxim Calujac specifically for this center.

concrete in corten steel

As visitors approach, the building gradually opens up, expanding and shrinking to create an enhanced perspective effect from both inside and outside. The external concrete staircase serves not only as a path to the green roof, but also as an amphitheater and a space for interaction and communication. Along the wall of the stairs, bas-reliefs depicting male and female senses and emotions, serving as tools of creativity and inspiration. The smooth line of the Corten-steel railing breaks the predictability of the geometry, softening the straightforward composition, adding emotionality and also functioning as a railing.

open-air auditorium stairs

Despite a tight budget, ARTCOR brought together volunteer artists, professors, and students from the academy to create decorative elements for the complex. As a result of its implementation, the center has become a cultural and educational hub of Chisinau, hosting over 200 events annually, including master classes, film screenings, musical performances, laser shows, and more.