Wednesday 15 April 2015

Old Converted Blacksmith's Workshop in Lesbos, Greece

Converted blacksmith workshop Greece - Nest of Pearls

I often associate Greece with amazing holidays, great weather, incredible ferry hopping between the islands, delicious food and that beautiful white architecture that speckles the islands against the magnificent backdrop of the blue sea. So, hidden away on one of the islands, I wouldn't have expected to find this very cool and rugged revamp of what used to be a blacksmith's workshop.

This little gem of a conversion is located on the island of Lesbos, in a building dating all the way back to the 1930's. The former workshop had been abandoned until a group of Danish architects embarked on turning it into a modern holiday house. Now, while I unfortunately don't know more precisely who the architects are, I do know that these excellent pics were taken by Wichmann + Bendtsen.

It's quite incredible that, once you know this was an ancient blacksmith's workshop, the signs are everywhere. The architects have accented the interior with piping and raw metal finishes where relevant. And despite the ruggedness and masculinity of the metal, it works remarkable well with the softness and fragility of the light wood surfaces. The two materials rely on simple juxtaposition to create an amazing union. 

And in between the two extremes of metal and light wood, more character is added to this converted interior through the use of beautifully finished concrete floors and the original wood beams that span the ceiling... which I imagine create a mesmerising labyrinth of light and shade throughout the space.

Converted blacksmith workshop Greece - Nest of Pearls

Converted blacksmith workshop Greece - Nest of Pearls

Converted blacksmith workshop Greece - Nest of Pearls

Converted blacksmith workshop Greece - Nest of Pearls


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