We went, we saw, we SCARPERed

21.05.2012

Olivetti-interiorIt has been a while since I last visited Venice – probably fifteen years. Then it was at New Year, all misty and enchanting. This time it was April showers, not quite so enchanting but still amazing.

As an architect you cannot go to Venice without checking out a bit of Carlo Scarpa. Last time I went to see his Museo di Castelvecchio in Verona designed in 1956. I also went to see the Olivetti Showroom designed in 1957-8 in the Piazza San Marco in Venice.

At that time the Olivetti Showroom was a gallery and looking rather neglected. Now it has been restored and returned back to the original Olivetti Showroom with contemporary typewriters and calculators. For five Euros I had the great pleasure of being the only person in the showroom spending my time looking at all of the fantastic materials and details.

Go and check out the wonderful terrazzo floor – often copied – see the original.