A former church next to the gardens of the Biennale in Venice showcases new talents in the Next Landmark contest
F.N. - 27.07.2012
F.N. - 27.07.2012
"If architecture is to be more than the privileged, exceptional moments of our built world, we must find a more engaged collaboration of talents and resources". David Chipperfield
Next Landmark practically anticipated Director David Chipperfield’s words, organising a contest for young graduates (after 01-01-2000) to offer visibility for a new generation of designers. The winners and special mentions will be announced on August 28 at an evening event in a frescoed deconsecrated church, part of a Salesian complex which has been closed to the public for years, close to the gardens of the Biennale in Venice. A great opportunity to get to know not only new talents in architecture but a new corner of the city with a wealth of historic significance.
The deconsecrated church hosting the event was built in the early 20th century in the courtyard of a complex on the site of a former brewery which had been donated to the parish of San Pietro a Castello. The building had a hall, theatre and gym on the first floor, while the ground floor contained classrooms and a little church, since closed and used as a gym, with a ceiling fresco of Our Lady of the Assumption with two oval tempera paintings by Cherubini.
During the First World War the facility was abandoned because it was a target for bombing, as it was near the Arsenal. In the ’20s it was home to numerous initiatives for the young, including a school of drawing, sports facilities and music and drama societies.
After the Second World War, activity resumed with a modernisation project by architect V. Lazzari and young designers from the School of Arts and Trades. The work performed at this time included tripling of the courtyard, adaptation of the ground floor for leisure and educational activities and use of the first floor as a university residence. Another expansion project in the early 20th century saw the church adapted for use as a gym, frequented by the many students in the area.
A place with such a history of promotion of young talents was the ideal site for exhibiting the work of young architects from all over the world. As the director of the work D. P. Molinari said in the ’30s: “a longed-for house designed and built for the young”.
The Next Landmark contest has closed on June 30. contest.floornature.com
Next Landmark practically anticipated Director David Chipperfield’s words, organising a contest for young graduates (after 01-01-2000) to offer visibility for a new generation of designers. The winners and special mentions will be announced on August 28 at an evening event in a frescoed deconsecrated church, part of a Salesian complex which has been closed to the public for years, close to the gardens of the Biennale in Venice. A great opportunity to get to know not only new talents in architecture but a new corner of the city with a wealth of historic significance.
The deconsecrated church hosting the event was built in the early 20th century in the courtyard of a complex on the site of a former brewery which had been donated to the parish of San Pietro a Castello. The building had a hall, theatre and gym on the first floor, while the ground floor contained classrooms and a little church, since closed and used as a gym, with a ceiling fresco of Our Lady of the Assumption with two oval tempera paintings by Cherubini.
During the First World War the facility was abandoned because it was a target for bombing, as it was near the Arsenal. In the ’20s it was home to numerous initiatives for the young, including a school of drawing, sports facilities and music and drama societies.
After the Second World War, activity resumed with a modernisation project by architect V. Lazzari and young designers from the School of Arts and Trades. The work performed at this time included tripling of the courtyard, adaptation of the ground floor for leisure and educational activities and use of the first floor as a university residence. Another expansion project in the early 20th century saw the church adapted for use as a gym, frequented by the many students in the area.
A place with such a history of promotion of young talents was the ideal site for exhibiting the work of young architects from all over the world. As the director of the work D. P. Molinari said in the ’30s: “a longed-for house designed and built for the young”.
The Next Landmark contest has closed on June 30. contest.floornature.com
