Skopelos Foundation for The Arts

The Skopelos Foundation for the Arts was established as a non-profit organization in 1999 by the Founder, Gloria Carr. The Foundation is affiliated with some of the top Universities including Arizona State University, George Mason University, Gulf Coast College, Marymount University, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, The Corcoran School of Art + Design, Pratt Institute New York City, The University of Florida and Michigan School of Art. For years it was Glorias vision to create a studio for artists. She wasn’t sure where it would be set up until 1996 when she visited the island of Skopelos. Skopelos is a unique island with the contrast of light and color – ideal ingredients of an affective architecture. Just one year after completing her Masters in Advanced Architecture in New York City, Gemma Koppen is entrusted with translating Gloria’s vision of a mind- and soul-expanding combination of culture, nature and art into an apartment and residential building.

The local aesthetic guidelines are very strict, the maximum construction capacity is limited. The construction must be dimensioned for earthquake risk. As a result, the design gets a self-confident traditional exterior that blends naturally and sustainably into the surrounding landscape. As a contrast, the interior captures the landscape as a varying scenery. Through the windows in the side walls, attention is drawn outwards to the breathtaking view over the Aegean Sea, only to constrict it the next moment and focus on the subsequent group workshops. These are partly inside and partly outside and play with the natural air flow. A meandering path connecting the individual terraces provides access to the 2nd building level, the studios. Here the painters work in cool rooms facing the northern lights and with a view of the sea.