model, il fondaco dei tedeschi, venice, italy, 2010 (13th century); OMAÂ’s recent preservation project
all images courtesy OMA
OMA has unveiled its design for the major restoration and redefinition of one
of veniceÂ’s largest and most iconic buildings: the fondaco dei tedeschi, adjacent
to the rialto bridge on the grand canal.
first constructed in 1228, the fondaco dei tedeschi began as a trading post for
german merchants and became a customs house under napoleon in 1806. its use
as a post office has diminished in recent years, leaving much of the building unused
and inaccessible for the first time in centuries. the latest evolution of the fondaco
will create a thriving contemporary trading post in the form of a culturally programmed
department store.
the fondaco dei tedeschi, twice rebuilt completely, with its current configuration dating
from 1506, has undergone many radical transformations since then. to accommodate
new uses, its towers have been removed, courtyard covered with glass, structure rebuilt,
façade restored, and new windows added, among many other interventions. for the fondaco,
preservation is a history of change.
commissioned by the benetton familyÂ’s property group, OMA has designed a range of
architectural modifications and developed a cultural program to reactivate the building as
a vital public space, from top to bottom. a terrace with rare views of the grand canal will
be created by removing two sides of the existing roof, leaving the buildingÂ’s profile intact
while unlocking exciting potential for the fondaco dei tedeschi as a major destination
and vantage point for tourists and venetians alike. the rooftop, together with the courtyard
below, will become a public venue for events including exhibitions and film screenings.
a year-round cultural program will be aimed at locals and tourists – the 20 million who
visit the city each year, as well as the 900,000 who come specifically for the biennales
and festivals.
the new fondaco dei tedeschi, as both prestige department store and public event space,
aims to re establish the historic venetian connection between culture and commerce.
the benetton family has always demonstrated this twin spirit, uniting the innovative
and international with profoundly local, venetian roots.
new entrances to the fondaco will be created from the campo san bartolomeo and the rialto
to encourage circulation, escalators will be added to create a new public route through
the building, rooms will be consolidated in a way that respects the fondacoÂ’s structure, while
crucial historic elements like the corner rooms will remain untouched. historic aspects of
the building, lost for centuries, will be resurrected: the walls of the gallerias will once again
become a surface for frescoes, reappearing in a contemporary form.
site, il fondaco dei tedeschi, adjacent to rialto bridge, venice, italy
proposal, courtyard as cinema, il fondaco dei tedeschi, venice, italy
......................... interesting
'cancer city' site and surrounding area with crayfish emigration pattern
