How is Venice, Venice and not anywhere else?
The canals are what makes Venice, Venice. The Venetians do not try to fight against the flood water. The make room for the Acqua Alta to come into their lives, their homes, and their historic buildings. Canal water is incorporated into the design of buildings. Its ever-changing nature brings a new dimension to the architecture of Venice, a new way of experiencing a building.
In Fondazione Querini-Stampalia, Scarpa creates in space for the canal to occupy within the building rather than walling it out. He took care to work out the details of this entry space and define its relationship with the progression that follows.
By establishing this relationship, other ways that the canals influence buildings are brought to your attention. As you walk along the walls of the space you notice the care with which the floors have been pulled away. Acknowledging the possible presence of the water.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.