If you happen to be in Venice – Piazza San Marco, Brunella in Venice recommends you a short visit to the “Negozio Olivetti” (Olivetti Shop) realised by Carlo Scarpa (Venice 1906 – Sendai, Japan 1978), one of the most important Italian architects, designers, and academics of the XX century. In 1956, Carlo Scarpa obtained the Olivetti award and, the following year, he was ordered the Shop in Piazza San Marco, a prestigious exhibition point of the famous typing machines.
The “Negozio Olivetti” (Olivetti Shop), an icon of Italian architecture of the XX century, was realised with extreme attention to detail, an exceptional quality of space and an accurate selection of the materials used ranging from the Istrian stone to Belgian black marble (Noir Belge) and from the Aurisina marble to African teak. After the accurate restoration works wanted by the owners, the Assicurazioni Generali, the management of the shop has been entrusted to the FAI (Fondo Ambiente Italiano) (Italian National Trust) and finally reopened to the public in April 2011. The guided tours are on booking at the following email address (fainegoziolivetti@fondoambiente.it), they last about 30 minutes and are a great occasion to learn important details of Carlo Scarpa’s architecture and works.
Web source: http://eng.fondoambiente.it/
Information
Olivetti Shop is in Venice, San Marco 101, under the porticoes of the “Procuratie Vecchie” and overlooking the large square. Free tickets for those registered in the FAI and National Trust, reduced for the students of the Universities of Architecture from all over the world.
For more info on opening hours and news: tel. +39 041 5228387
Other unmissable works by Carlo Scarpa in Venice:
– Among the most important works by Carlo Scarpa, some of which regarded the organisation of museums, there are the one of “Museo Correr” (Correr Museum) (1957-1960) and the one of “Galleria dell’Accademia” (Gallery of the Academy) (1944-1949).
– The Gardens of the Biennial Exhibition: the Garden of Sculptures, Italia Stand, Venezuela Stand, and other interventions that evidence the long-lasting collaboration of Carlo Scarpa with Venice Biennial Exhibition.
– “Fondazione Querini Stampalia” (Querini Stampalia Foundation) that articulates on four themes: the bridge, the entrance with the high water protection barriers, the central hall, and the garden.
– Door and entrance I.U.A.V. (Tolentini branch of the University of Architecture) that Carlo Scarpa designed in 1966.
