Architecture
The 1,600 square meter building complex was designed by architects Loretta Gaïtis and Jacques Charrat in order to house the permanent exhibition of the two artists.
The permanent collection is organized in two main buildings, which are located on either side of an internal road. A series of oversized heads of “anthropakia” (little humans) mark the entrance to the “road” and invite visitors into the museum.
On the left, the Gaïtis Building spans two floors, with the museum’s reception located on the ground floor. Upon exiting the Gaïtis wing, visitors discover a courtyard with an olive tree, from where they can access the Simossi Building. The architecture of the Gaïtis Building is inspired by the “anthropakia”: the curvature of the roof is based on the design of their hats, while the entrance door is designed to resemble a head seen from the front.
Gabriella Simossi loved white: in the Simossi building, the sculptures are white, the walls are whitewashed, while white marble covers the floor and the pedestals. A series of arches creates successive perspectives on the imposing sculptures displayed at the center of the space.
A multi-purpose room for temporary exhibitions, storage areas, administrative offices, a café, and an open-air theater at the end of the “road” complete the museum’s lay-out.
Drawings of the Building
Photos of the Building