Studio Brief & Information

It is a widespread belief that since the fall of the Serenissima at the end of 18th century (1797), the city of Venice has remained almost unchanged. For the multitude of tourists who visit the city every year, it appears as an open-air museum where coexistence between heritage and the contemporary is very difficult if not impossible. A vision of a city with a consolidated structure and saturated urban conformation persist and in this fossilized system the new does not seem to find a place.

This stereotype, however, clashes with a completely different reality, especially in the contemporary era, rich in terms of quality and quantity. Between 19th and 20th century a lot was built in Venice but there is evidence of empty spaces not only on the borders but also in the city center. Clearly this condition of coexistence is unique in Venice. All the parts in the game are forced to confront each other within a narrow perimeter, in a limited space where each event has a series of repercussions on the whole.

This studio will investigate these conditions by developing contemporary architecture design proposals related to the theme of exhibition by designing a small pavilion inside a public garden whilst incorporating the peculiar conditions of the landscape context (land and water) and the existing historical surrounding.

Field Trips

Venice Naval History Museum (Arsenale, Venice)

Querini Stampalia Foundation Garden, Venice (designed by Carlo Scarpa)

Vatican Chapels (north garden of the Giorgio Cini Foundation, San Giorgio Maggiore Island, Venetian lagoon)

Internships

Are internships at MAP Studio available to students of this studio?
Yes. Internship places are available

Location Available:
Venice

Details:
Students accepted into the MAP Studio class at Venice Studio are eligible for selection to undertake an internship at MAP Studio. Selection of candidates is at the sole discretion of the studio directors and MAP Studio. Places are not guaranteed.
*Please contact us at Venice Studio using the form below for further information about these internship opportunities.

MAP Studio

MAP studio is an international office for architecture, urbanism and design, which began in 2004 with the union of architects Francesco Magnani and Traudy Pelzel, who then founded their joint architectural firm in  2010, now located in the historic centre of Venice in a beautiful workspace on the second main floor of palazzo Foscarini in front of Carmini church.

MAP studio carries out assignments and combines public and private professional activities with research, focusing on architectural design and urban renewal as well as the transformation of existing buildings, interior design and exhibition design.

Completed works range from the noted renovation of the Porta Nuova Tower in the Venice Arsenale, which presents a benchmark building for the renovation design of historic buildings, to a custom set of exhibition designs, new buildings and several restorations.

Recently MAP studio completed the restoration of a Carlo Scarpa house in Venice. The story of this exceptional building site is documented in the book titled; The House on Grand Canal published by Electa.

Querini Park Greenhouses
Vicenza, Italy

© Claudia Rossini