Reconstruction of the Russian Pavilion in Venice Begun
The reconstruction of the Russian pavilion in Giardini has begun. The work on the project by the KASA bureau should be completed by the opening of the 17th Venice Architecture Biennale in May 2021.
The Russian pavilion in Giardini was designed by Alexey Shchusev in 1914. Since then, it has presented Russian art at the Venice Biennale. Now the architects are planning to return the appearance of the building to the original design of Shchusev as well as to solve some technical problems.
The project of the Russian-Japanese bureau KASA, developed with the participation of the Venetian architectural bureau MAP, the engineering and design company TTE (Tecnobrevetti Team Engineering) and the studio 2050+, should restore the connection between the pavilion spaces and the surrounding landscape. It will be possible to temporarily remove the floors in the building and create a double-height space, providing for natural light. In addition, the façade will return to its original green color. Experts have accurately recreated the shade from the data of the stratigraphic study of the walls.
“The reconstructed space will regain openness, transparency and accessibility in the spirit of the original architectural concept of Alexey Shchusev, which is also one of the indispensable requirements for modern cultural institutions” - said the pavilion commissioner Teresa Mavica.
“Combining restoration and transformation, our project for the Russian Pavilion connects the past and the future, the Giardini lagoon and gardens, culture and nature” - say Alexandra Kovaleva and Kei Sato, founders of the KASA bureau. “We hope that it will be constantly open to everyone and will turn into a full-fledged platform for intellectual interaction between Russia and the world.”
Let us recollect that the reconstruction of the pavilion was introduced as part of the Open? Project presented by Russia at the Venice Architecture Biennale 2020. It is devoted to the study of the role and significance of cultural institutions during the global crisis. Ippolito Pestellini Laparelli acts as curator.
- Tags:
- Russian Pavilion |
- Venice |
- KASA bureau |
- Giardini