Former GAVINA Store by Carlo Scarpa

In Bologna in the heart of the historic center

Located on the ground floor of an ancient building in the historic center of Bologna, in via Altabella. It was designed by Carlo Scarpa in 1961 on commission from Dino Gavina who wanted a showroom for his furniture in the historic center of the city, following the example of Adriano Olivetti who had a store with a similar concept created by Carlo Scarpa in Piazza San Marco in Venice.

Scarpa's intervention is a notable example of integration between the ancient buildings of the historic center of Bologna and elements of architectural modernity. The shop is characterized by the concrete facade, which covers the exterior of the medieval building, also opening three irregularly shaped glass surfaces: a double ring window, a large oculus and the central entrance, covered by a gate. According to Scarpa's architectural concept, great importance is given to the materials used: in fact, the concrete is worked in bands with different chisel tips and divided by gold leaf bands, while the glass of the windows flush with the facade are supported by bronze and cast iron studs.

Inside, Scarpa reduces the original fragmentation of the spaces, giving the rooms depth, thanks to the arrangement of numerous vertical elements: pillars with elaborate surfaces in beaten concrete, cobalt-colored and glossy white stucco, enriched with silver leaf. Source: Wikipedia