Kapana's Art Bedesten
The Art Bedesten is an ideal project for an open space in the Kapana district in Plovdiv. Kapana has a very interesting history and it is one of the oldest parts in the city. The unique urban structure is inherited by the Ottoman rule and yet most of the buildings are from the 20th century. This creates a beautiful anachronism that gives visitors a sense of pleasure, hospitality and intimacy. The complex contains three separate structures which are all connected to the main concept for the development of Kapana - converting it into a creative industry district. The main part, nevertheless, is the Art center, which provides room for creative activities, traditional craft classes and a public space at the ground level. All of these functions manage to coexist with the memory of the building which was once present at the site - the Great Arcade - an important building from the Ottoman period dedicated to the trade of the most expensive and exotic goods in the city.
