In Florence, a quiet revolution is taking place within the walls of Keil Space — an environment where sculpture, architecture, and human emotion converge. Founded around the visionary practice of artist Sam Keil, Keil Space transcends the conventional idea of a gallery. It is conceived as a “modern temple,” a place where visitors don’t just observe art but experience it as a catalyst for introspection, connection, and healing.

At the helm of this project stands Mohamed Ogbi, CEO of Keil Space - a strategist and creative leader whose background bridges business innovation and cultural vision. Having worked across 70 international projects in 23 sectors, Ogbi brings a multidisciplinary approach shaped by his studies in economics, psychology, and communication. His work reflects a deep belief that art can serve as both a spiritual and social architecture - one capable of transforming perception and redefining human presence in space.

In this conversation with Coeval Magazine, Ogbi discusses the evolution of Keil Space, the meaning of “spiritual architecture,” and how empirical research (in collaboration with QDAS, UK) is revealing the measurable impact of art on emotional well-being.

How did the idea of Keil Space first emerge? Was it born from an artistic impulse, a personal need, or a gap you saw in the way people experience art today?

The idea of Keil Space emerged from a desire to reactivate and create a twenty-first-century institution entirely dedicated to Advanced Art and its applications. Through Sam Keil’s pioneering work, the space embodies an approach where the complexity, experimentation, and conceptual depth of the artworks intertwine with visitors’ sensory perceptions. Keil Space is not intended as a conventional exhibition space, but as an immersive environment where Sam Keil’s collections - First, Second, and New Generation Bronzes - are actively experienced, integrating light, sound, and scent, transforming the encounter with art into an experience of introspection, dialogue, and emotional enrichment.

You often say Keil Space transforms the visitor from a “viewer” into a “protagonist.” How do you achieve that through the physical and emotional design of the space?

Keil Space transforms the visitor from a “viewer” into a “protagonist” through a design that blends physical and emotional elements, creating a deeply personal, immersive experience. The absence of crowds and the intimate atmosphere encourage introspection and connection with the artworks, while the integration of light, sound, scent, and materials stimulates the senses in a calibrated way. The design offers time and space for reflection, allowing visitors to experience Sam Keil’s collections not merely as spectators but as active participants, in a journey that unites aesthetic perception, emotion, and awareness.

What were the biggest conceptual or practical challenges in translating such an abstract idea-“spiritual architecture”-into a tangible visitor experience?

The challenge was not so much designing “spiritual architecture” as it was creating an environment faithful to Sam Keil’s vision and artistic purity. Keil Space was not engineered to evoke contemplative states; rather, it is the combination of the sculptures, their materials, the light, volumes, and overall atmosphere that naturally produces an immersive, transformative experience. Architecture thus becomes an extension of the art itself, guiding visitors along an emotional and sensory journey that unites mind, body, and spirit without theoretical mediation or external prescriptions.

How does the collaboration between artist Sam Keil, yourself, and the broader team (architects, designers, researchers) unfold in practice? Is there a shared creative language?

The work has developed following clear guidelines that place Sam Keil’s creations and the visitor’s active engagement at the center. Without a rigid creative language, the shared approach prioritizes a deep, personal connection with the artistic journey, while the combination of light, form, and texture creates a dynamic environment that stimulates emotional, cognitive, and existential responses. Thanks to Sam Keil’s mastery and research, Keil Space has become a unique environment where art, science, philosophy, and psychology intersect, profoundly shaping the experience of those who visit.

Keil Space collaborated with QDAS, a UK-based leader in qualitative data research, to study the healing potential of art. Could you explain how this collaboration began and what you hoped to learn?

From the earliest visitor testimonies, the beneficial effects of the individual Keil Space experience were immediately apparent. Building on this, QDAS conducted a study with over 750 participants, aged 8 to 85, confirming and deepening these insights. The scientifically validated benefits include emotional resonance - inner calm, emotional release, and heightened sensitivity; cognitive engagement — curiosity stimulation, expanded perception, and creative inspiration; reflection and higher purpose - harmony, inner elevation, and clarity of values; and holistic well-being - stress reduction, support in healing, and personal transformation. These findings demonstrated how Sam Keil’s art, combined with the immersive environment of Keil Space, fosters introspection, emotional and cognitive growth, and a profound sense of connection with oneself and the surrounding environment.

Did the research confirm any long-held beliefs you had about the emotional or psychological role of art - or did it challenge them?

The research confirmed long-held beliefs about the emotional and psychological role of art, but in a very specific way: not art for its own sake, but pure, authentic art like Sam Keil’s, capable of generating a profound and direct impact on those who experience it. Keil Space demonstrates how art can be accessible and universal, speaking to each individual without barriers of knowledge or training. Here, every stimulus reaches the body and mind, transforming aesthetic contemplation into lived experience, introspection, and inner care. The inclusive and democratic nature of the space makes art a tool for connection, reflection, and regeneration, restoring the fundamental role of creation as a bridge between the individual, the community, and emotional balance.

Looking ahead, how do you see Keil Space evolving - new formats, collaborations, or cities? And how might the lessons from Florence influence the next chapters?

Looking ahead, we envision Keil Space as a pioneering global model of Advanced Art, where art, science, and human well-being converge. We aim to develop collaborations with universities, hospitals, and wellness institutions to integrate the benefits of the experience into care and rehabilitation programs, as well as educational initiatives for students of art, philosophy, and psychology. International expansion remains a possible horizon, alongside sustainable and inclusive growth, ensuring accessibility across ages and cultural contexts. The lessons learned in Florence - on the emotional, cognitive, and sensory impact of immersive experiences - will guide all future designs, so that art continues to be actively experienced as a tool for introspection, dialogue, and well-being.