“Venice is like a poem, a living work of art with its own sense of architectural rhythm and grace.” T.S Eliot

Carlo Scarpa (1906–1978) was born in Venice, a city that profoundly influenced his architectural approach. Immersed in this rich environment, Scarpa developed a deep respect for craftsmanship, traditional materials, and the cultural significance of architecture. His career was marked by a masterful fusion of modernist principles with artisanal techniques, resulting in functional and poetically evocative buildings.

Scarpa’s Venetian roots are evident in projects like the Fondazione Querini Stampalia (1961–1963), where he adeptly addressed the city’s unique challenges, such as flooding, through innovative design solutions. His work extended beyond architecture to furniture and product design. Still, he is most celebrated for projects like the Olivetti Showroom in Venice (1957–1958), where his meticulous attention to detail and refined interiors remain timeless.

Scarpa’s designs are renowned for their intricate interplay of light, shadow, and texture, creating spaces that merge modernity with tradition. Scarpa’s ability to harmonize contemporary architecture with historical contexts stands as a testament to his innovative approach and commitment to craftsmanship, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to inspire future generations of architects and designers worldwide.

Annalisa Capurro, aka @ms.modernism, an interior designer, architectural historian, preservationist and Modernism Week Board Director, developed a deep connection to Scarpa’s architecture, forged during her time living and working as a designer in Venice, Italy.