Darius Maïkoff – Converting an Old Power Station into a Cultural Center

By presenting GES – 2 (completed in 2021) developed with and for the VAC Foundation, we will give a testimony on how the studio sought to create a vibrant space that is both open to citizens, as an extension of the city and internationally, with an aspiration to connect people through art beyond borders. We will explore the enthralling challenge of articulating this new civic function within an existing site that carries a strong identity. During this presentation, we will also share our reflections on the significance of a space dedicated to art and culture in our contemporary world, whilst exposing the choices made to obtain an appropriate discussion between existing and new features. We will finally invite you to a journey through the careful detailing that made this place come to life.

About Darius Maïkoff

Darius Maïkoff, based in Paris, is an architect and engineer with dual French and Swiss citizenship. He earned his degrees from Politecnico University in Milan, Italy (2010) and from École Spéciale des Travaux Publics in Paris, France (2007). Before joining RPBW in 2015, Darius gained valuable experience at several architectural firms, where he worked on significant cultural projects. At RPBW, he has contributed to a range of projects, including Shard Place, a 26-story residential development adjacent to the Shard tower; Bishop Ranch, an open commercial center in San Ramon, California; and the GES 2 Cultural Foundation in Moscow.