ŠMERAL ART FACTORY: Where Contemporary Art Meets Industrial Heritage

In Brno, Czech Republic, a former industrial hall has been transformed into a new cultural destination. Reimagined by architecture studio KOGAA, ŠMERAL ART FACTORY brings street art, contemporary creativity, and industrial heritage together in a space. Here, the past becomes a source of inspiration.

ŠMERAL ART FACTORY: When Art Takes Over an Old Factory

A wall covered in graffiti, weathered steel structures, and, just a few steps away, a gallery with immaculate white walls. Along the banks of the Svitava River in Brno, the contrast is striking. Hidden within the industrial surroundings of the Šmeral complex, a new space dedicated to contemporary art has emerged. Therefore, the creative hub is known as the ART FACTORY ŠMERAL.

Once inaccessible to the public, the former industrial hall has been reimagined by Czech architecture studio KOGAA. Rather than erasing the traces of its past, the project embraces them as part of its new identity. Architecture becomes a bridge between two worlds: industrial production and artistic creation, just as ŠMERAL ART FACTORY bridges these disciplines. A Dialogue Between Street Art and Contemporary Art

The experience begins before visitors even enter the gallery. Walking or cycling along the river, they encounter the Šmeral graffiti wall, known as Brno’s first legal graffiti wall. Its vibrant colors and spontaneous compositions contrast with the austere industrial buildings surrounding it. As a result, the wall hints at the larger transformation of the ART FACTORY of ŠMERAL into a cultural anchor.

As visitors move deeper into the complex, the atmosphere gradually changes. Raw surfaces and exposed metal structures give way to a bright, minimalist interior designed to accommodate contemporary artworks. White exhibition walls provide a neutral setting, allowing the works to take center stage. This takes place within the industrial context of ŠMERAL ART FACTORY.

This transition is one of the project’s defining features. Street art, visible in the public space, and contemporary art, displayed inside the gallery, engage in a dialogue. However, they do so without losing their distinct identities. Between them, architecture creates a journey that becomes an integral part of the artistic experience.

ŠMERAL ART FACTORY: An Architecture That Preserves the Past

For KOGAA, a simple principle guided the transformation of the former factory: adapting what already exists rather than replacing it. In fact, this approach is exemplified throughout the ART FACTORY ŠMERAL project.

The architects preserved the original steel structure and repurposed the industrial ventilation ducts to meet the building’s new requirements. They also restored the original lighting fixtures and integrated modern LED technology. Additionally, enlarged roof openings allow natural light to reach deep into the exhibition spaces of ŠMERAL ART FACTORY.

Inside, a central white volume accommodates the reception area and bar. Meanwhile, its minimalist design contrasts with the surrounding industrial elements without attempting to conceal them. In this way, the space reflects ŠMERAL ART FACTORY’s commitment to preserving its authentic industrial character.

Subtle details also recall the site’s history. The reception desk echoes the distinctive lines of corrugated metal, while touches of green reference the factory’s original color palette. Outside, a functioning industrial stamping press stands as a reminder of the complex’s manufacturing past. These elements complete the ŠMERAL ART FACTORY homage to heritage.

Far from being merely decorative remnants, these elements contribute to the building’s identity. Therefore, they allow its industrial history to coexist with contemporary artistic practices at ŠMERAL ART FACTORY.

Remnants of the Future: When Memory Becomes Artistic Material

This dialogue between industrial heritage and contemporary creation continues through the gallery’s artistic programming. This feature is unique in Brno.

Running from September 17 to November 1, 2026, Zbytky budoucnosti (Remnants of the Future), curated by Martina Mrázová, explores the relationship between memory, materials, and transformation. This all takes place at none other than ŠMERAL ART FACTORY.

Bringing together artists from different generations, the exhibition examines how discarded textiles, industrial remnants, embroidery, and found materials can acquire new meanings through artistic expression. Themes of memory, the body, labor, loss, and transformation emerge through works that challenge the boundaries between traditional craftsmanship and contemporary experimentation. Moreover, all of this happens in the space of the ART FACTORY ŠMERAL.

The exhibition brings together Inez Tuschnerová, a significant figure in Czech textile art, and contemporary artists. These artists explore diverse techniques and materials in the industrial atmosphere.

Within the former industrial complex, the exhibition takes on an additional dimension. Indeed, much like the building itself, the artworks invite visitors to reconsider what remains of the past. In doing so, they demonstrate how fragments and traces can inspire new forms of creation. Ultimately, this philosophy lies at the heart of ŠMERAL ART FACTORY’s artistic identity.

A New Cultural Landscape for Brno

The transformation extends beyond the gallery walls. The surrounding outdoor spaces accommodate exhibitions, performances, and cultural events. A new entrance connected to the riverside cycling path also allows visitors to rediscover a site that remained closed to the public for decades. This further cements ART FACTORY ŠMERAL as a landmark for Brno’s arts scene.

The project is part of Making Use, KOGAA’s long-term research initiative exploring the possibilities of adaptive reuse. Rather than treating existing buildings as obstacles, this approach considers architectural heritage a valuable resource capable of accommodating new purposes. At the same time, it preserves its identity, exemplified by it unique character.

At ŠMERAL ART FACTORY, contemporary art does not replace the building’s industrial history; it inhabits it, creating an ongoing dialogue between past and present. This process establishes ŠMERAL as a true ART FACTORY.

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