Palazzo di Vigonovo: Fire-Damaged 17th Century Building Restored With a Laser-Cut Corten Facade

The 17th century Palazzo di Vigonovo “<em>Campiello</em> “ in Venice fell victim to a devastating fire 30 years ago this month. Building owners Cosmo Realty decided to honor the anniversary by refurbishing the building into a series of apartments with a modern yet historically sensitive corten facade. A crack creative team was tasked with the poetic renovation of the historical façade - sculptor <a title="Giorgio Milani" href="http://www.giorgiomilani.com/giorgiomilani/Giorgio_Milani.html"><strong><em>Giorgio Milani</em></strong></a> worked with art historian <a title="Philippe Daverio" href="http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippe_Daverio"><strong><em>Philippe Daverio</em></strong></a> overseen by local architecture firm <a title="3ndy studio" href="http://www.3ndystudio.it/"><strong><em>3ndy Studio</em></strong></a>.

The top-notch design team has creatively restored the site, which during the first century BC was said to be a source of archaeological and historical writing.

Resisting the temptation to “recreate” that history the team has rightly assumed the responsibility of carving a new path for the old “Campiello” utilizing a poetic approach to contemporary materiality.

Protected by local planning regulations, the new development composed of two differing built entities is responsive to the environmental and historical values of the site.

The corten-steel façade repeats the rhythms of the existing structure as well as the form and proportion of the openings and archways.

The façade is now much more than a structural component to the building, it is now a work of art in its own right. It manages to reflect the 17th century architectural language and translate it firmly in to the 21st century.

Milani uses traditional techniques to tile and tessellate poetic text and historical content informed by historian Daverio.