Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Engineering Marvels
Over the centuries, Venetian architecture has evolved into such a dazzling composite of
materials, styles and influences that you might overlook its singular defining feature: it
floats. Thousands of wood pylons sunk into lagoon mud support stone foundations, built up
with elegant brickwork and rustic ceiling beams, low
sotoportegi
(passageways) and lofty
loggias, grand water gates and hidden
cortile
(courtyards). Instead of disguising or wallpa-
pering over these essential Venetian structural elements, modern architects have begun
highlighting them. With this approach, the Fondazione Giorgio Cini converted a naval
academy into a gallery, Tadao Ando turned Punta della Dogana customs houses into a
contemporary-art showplace, and Renzo Piano transformed historic Maggazini del Sale
(salt warehouses) into a rotating gallery space for Fondazione Emilio Vedova. With original
load-bearing supports and brickwork exposed to public admiration, Venice's new-old archi-
tecture seems more fresh and vital than ever.
