The historic Central Pavilion at the Giardini della Biennale has been meticulously revitalized, ensuring its readiness for the upcoming Venice Art Biennale. This ambitious restoration, spearheaded by the renowned Italian architectural firm Labics and architect Fabio Fumagalli, has transformed the 1895 brick edifice into a modern exhibition space while respectfully honoring its rich past.
The comprehensive overhaul, managed by the Venice Biennale's Special Projects division, focused on reconfiguring the internal layout to optimize the visitor experience. A key objective was to establish a clear spatial progression within the pavilion, which alternately hosts the prestigious Venice Art and Architecture Biennales. This strategic reorganization sought to integrate the building's historical narrative with the functional demands of contemporary exhibitions, making the complex more accessible and intuitive for art enthusiasts.
Work commenced in December 2024, involving a collaborative effort with engineering firms Buromilan and ia2 Studio Associato, alongside geologist Francesco Aucone. The team's meticulous approach, described as a "stratigraphic method," involved carefully peeling back layers of previous alterations to reveal and preserve the original architectural essence. This process allowed for the removal of incongruous additions, enhancing the building's inherent serial and essential qualities, and ultimately creating a cohesive architectural unity.
One of the significant changes included converting the Sala Chini gallery into a central distribution area, guiding visitors through the pavilion. This central hub is now flanked by essential public amenities, including a contemporary bookshop, a welcoming cafe, and an educational room, all designed to complement the exhibition experience. The upper levels, beneath the distinctive pitched roofs, now feature flexible rectangular exhibition spaces, defined by crisp white walls, ready to accommodate diverse temporary installations.
Furthermore, the restoration paid homage to renowned Italian architect Carlo Scarpa, with the careful restoration and reinstallation of his original window fixtures. Modern enhancements include the addition of skylights equipped with photovoltaic and light-diffusing glass, optimizing natural light while incorporating sustainable energy solutions. The new cafe boasts glass doors that open onto a picturesque canal-side terrace, shaded by elegant canopies crafted from charred laminated wood and cross-laminated panels. These canopies, inspired by traditional Venetian altane, seamlessly blend the pavilion with its scenic surroundings in the Giardini.
All technical systems were cleverly concealed behind walls, ensuring a clean and uncluttered interior aesthetic. Motorized shades were also integrated to allow for precise control of lighting, enabling the interior to be blacked out when necessary for specific exhibits. This extensive restoration project received funding from the Italian government, as part of the National Plan for Complementary Investments (PNC) under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR). The successful completion of this project ensures the Central Pavilion will continue to serve as a beacon of art and architecture for future generations, offering an enriched and more navigable environment for visitors from around the globe.