Studio Details

Location
Venice, Italy

Date
30 June-11 July, 2025

Studio Directors in Venice
Martin Knüsel (Partner, Herzog & de Meuron)
Milou Teeling (Associate, Herzog & de Meuron)

Studio Project
Public Space & Bridges

Field Trips and Site Visits
Bridges across the historic peninsula

Studio Project

Venezia Accessibile 2.0

Venice has a unique network of 150 canals and 435 bridges. Water is mostly overcome by arch structures, with stair steps following up and down the curvature of the arch. How to make this city with thousands of stair steps accessible for all? Is it even possible? And can this challenge be more than a functional fulfillment, can it be done in a nice way? Can we turn around the constraints and use them as a source of inspiration? Can we use the requirements to explore new spatial potential in the form of an accessible topography? And is it possible for new programs to arise out of this exercise? Above all, how do we identify the bridges that could make the city more accessible?

In recent years, the city has begun to improve accessibility by providing stair alterations in the form of ramps. These purely functional structures are perceived as temporary, add-on elements and in strong contrast with the existing context.

In the first week, we will analyze and categorize bridges in the different neighborhoods. Exchanges with various experts in the field of accessibility and historic preservation will help us to understand Venice from a new angle. We will also look at built examples where transitory spaces like stairs and ramps are exploited to create a strong architectural identity. After identifying points of intervention within Venice, we will develop several design proposals during the second week.

Towards the end of the course, we will consolidate the work into one document to present to the local authorities and test the outcome of our studies.

HERZOG & DE MEURON

Herzog & de Meuron is an international architectural practice based in Basel, Switzerland. Established in 1978, the practice is led by the two founders together with the Partners and the CEO. Today, an international team of over 500 collaborators is engaged in a wide range of projects across Europe, the Americas and Asia. The main office in Basel works in tandem with studios in Berlin and Munich, Paris, London, Hong Kong, New York, and San Francisco.

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Internships

Students accepted into the Herzog & de Meuron Studio at Venice Studio may be considered for available internship or job opportunities at Herzog & de Meuron. Selection of candidates is at the sole discretion of the studio directors and Herzog & de Meuron. Places are not guaranteed.

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