Balbek Bureau’s Portable Cultural Space made of containers
MOT (Module of Temporality) is a mobile cultural space constructed from 27 cargo containers. Kyiv-based studio balbek bureau designed this structure at the request of Don’t Take Fake, a local event agency and contemporary culture magazine publisher. This two-story structure is designed for easy disassembly, transport, and reassembly in under ten days.
Since its launch in February 2023, MOT has traveled to three Ukrainian cities: Kyiv, Dnipro, and Lutsk, and is currently temporarily located in Lviv. Inside, MOT hosts a multimedia exhibition featuring the works of 28 artists from 10 different countries. All proceeds generated by MOT are dedicated to the restoration of art institutions in Ukraine that have suffered damage due to Russian aggression.
all images by Andriy Bezuglov
a movable multifunctional space
The story behind the Module of Temporality (MOT) project began in 2012 when Balbek Bureau (see more here) ordered some containers from the Ilyichivsk Ship Repair Plant. Originally, these containers were intended for a different project but were never used. In 2022, the team from Don’t Take Fake approached Balbek Bureau with a proposal to repurpose these containers for the MOT project. The MOT project’s goal is to explore the concept of time and life’s transience through art. It features the works of several artists, including JR from France, Mark Jenkins from the USA, and local talents like Zhanna Kadyrova, Roman Minin, and Maria Kulikovska from Ukraine.
For Balbek Bureau, one of the main challenges in designing MOT’s structure was its mobility and the complexity of the cantilever. They also put effort into ensuring proper thermal and water insulation. The modules themselves had a distinctive design, so there was no need for overly bold accents, except for the branding done by the CREVV design studio.
designed for effortless dismantling, transportation, and reassembly in less than ten days
Inside MOT’s welcome area, the intentionally low ceiling was designed to create a sense of confinement, reminiscent of the feeling people experience in shelters during air raids. On the other hand, the main exhibition area is spacious and open. The architects deliberately left the joints of the container walls visible to highlight the modular structure.
The primary material used throughout the design is metal, with various forms and textures. As a tribute to the enterprises affected by Russian aggression, the architects incorporated metal beams and sheets from Azovstal and the Ilich Iron & Steel Works, which were both heavily impacted during the battles for Mariupol. The interior design, except for the areas featuring yellow fiberglass, maintains a neutral color palette. Meanwhile, custom-made furniture, with varying shapes and heights, creates a visual contrast within the modules.
the containers host a multimedia exhibition featuring the works of 28 artists
the MOT’s goal is to delve into the notion of time and the fleeting nature of life through artistic expression[dbcosmo_fullwidth_image src=”https://static.designboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/balbek-bureau-cargo-containers-movable-cultural-space-designboom-21800-1.jpg” width=”1800″ height=”1200″ image_title=”balbek-bureau-cargo-containers-movable-cultural-space-designboom-21800″][/dbcosmo_fullwidth_image]
