One of the most prestigious Museums in the world has transformed the historical building of Punta della Dogana into a new Centre for Contemporary Art through an astute restoration effort.

The complex in Punta della Dogana originally stood on marshlands at the western edge of the Sestiere Dorsoduro. Already in the 14th century, after the necessary drainage, it was a salt warehouse and was later destined to various commercial activities.

At the beginning of the 1600s, it became the Dogana (The Customs House) due to its strategic position. This was a key institution for a city such as Venice which was flourishing in trade and commerce.

The building’s roof is characterised by a huge gilt bronze sphere held by two statues of Atlas and topped with a revolving statue of Fortune that acted as a wind marker.

The designer has kept the existing layout of the building and removed only late restructuring, instead designing a more simple and rational structure.

The intelligent use of reinforced concrete represents an important “seam” between the old and the modern.

The beautiful external walls, made from “Pietra d’Istria” (a special stone from Istria) have been carefully maintained and only the wooden window frames have been replaced with painted steel thermal-break frames.

These are the perfect solution for the big glass doors on the ground floor and the archshaped ones on the upper floor.

WORK: restoration Punta della Dogana, Dorsoduro Island, Venice
PROJECT: Tadao Ando Architect & Associates - Osaka, Japan
FRAMER: Due Esse di Sigismondi Silvia s.a.s. - Carbonera (TV)

FRAMES: EBE Thermalbreak in Galvanized and Painted Steel