Italy - The study of the old with the new
Woodbury School of Architecture
ARCH 4750 - Study Abroad Summer 2022
Instructors | Paulette Singley, Gerard Smulevich, Eric Olsen
This studio occurred in Italy, primarily in the city of Venice, Italy. This project consisted of studying the “old” and the “new” of architecture in Italy. Studying the existing buildings and sites found were meant to be explored tectonically through program, structure, materials, and details. Design development was stressed, along with social and cultural concerns. For this project the site of Forte Marghera in Venice, Italy was selected. Looking into specifically the building of La Biblioteca Del Centro Studi Di Forte Marghera. This building was chosen for its variation of architectural features and materials, along with the existing program, as a library. After, deeply studying this building variations of façade experimentations were done with watercolor paints in sketching, drawing, and painting form. Some designs with colors were inspired by the beautiful glass of Murano, the additional textures inspired by Burano’s handmade lace, both islands located in Venice. Many façade designs were inspired by Venice’s architecture in form and simplicity, taking in the “old” and making it a bit more modern. Looking into many of Carlo Scarpa’s work the combination of the existing and the new, were a big drive for many of the designs.
Elevation - Colors inspired by the different colors and reflections of the Murano glass. Sea Salt was used to show the exterior textures present all around on the Venetian architecture. Materials Used - Watercolor paints, Fountain Pen, Sea Salt, Gold Metallic Marker
Section - Shows cuts through the colored glass windows. Plan - A plan view cut through the second floor and its colored openings.
Elevation - Colors inspired by the sunlight in Venice. Materials Used - Watercolor paints, Fountain Pen
Section - Shows a cut through the round window. Plan - A plan view cut through the skylights.
Elevation - Colors inspired by the different colors and reflections of the Murano glass. Sea Salt was used to show the exterior textures present all around on the Venetian architecture. Materials Used - Watercolor paints, Fountain Pen, Sea Salt, Gold Metallic Marker
Section - Shows cuts through the colored glass wall with gold metal framing openings inspired by the gold accents on Venetian ceilings. Plan - A plan view cut through the second floor and its colored glass wall and its openings.
Elevation - Design, materials, and colors were inspired by Carlo Scarpa's work. The simplicity of easily blending the old architecture with the new. Materials Used - Watercolor paints, Fountain Pen, Gold Metallic Marker
Section - Shows cuts through the windows and its wooden exterior accents. Plan - A plan view cut through the second floor and its central round opening surrounded by wooden accents and geometric windows.
Elevation - The red/coral and blues were inspired by the beautiful sunsets in Venice and adding some translucent and metallic accents from the glass of Murano. Materials Used - Watercolor Paints, Fountain Pen, Sea Salt, Metallic Watercolor Paints
Section - Shows cuts through the blue colored glass wall. Plan - A plan view cut through the second floor and its blue openings.
Elevation - The monotone shading and its floral façade with different sized openings was inspired by the beautiful laces of Burano. Materials Used - Watercolor Paints, Fountain Pen
Section - Shows cuts through the many openings on the façade showing the curved roof. Plan - A plan view cut through the second floor and its angled openings for specific lighting.
Elevation - Design was inspired by the beautiful gold framed ceilings that almost every Venetian building has. Materials Used - Watercolor paints, Fountain Pen, Gold Metallic Marker
Section - Cut through oval windows in each level, while showing the gold accents on the façade. Plan - A plan view cut through the second floor and its oval openings.
The photos above were some that inspired the elevation designs.