Fondaco dei Tedeschi
In the heart of Venice beside the Rialto Bridge, we have redesigned and transformed the interior of the C16th Fondaco dei Tedeschi into a luxurious department store for global retailers DFS, in close collaboration with the soprintendenza of Venice (equivalent to Heritage England). Our work sits within the architectural restoration of this historic landmark which has been carried out by OMA.
This major new store, which is 9,000m sq over 5 floors, opened to the public in October 2016.
As part of our approach to the interior, we looked to the rich culture and history of Venice, exploring artworks, architectural details and decorations which populate the city.
Venice has a rich history of craftsmanship, from glass blowing and furniture making to the carving of Gondolas. Its palazzos are teaming with fabrics and carpets. We looked to draw on this rich history, to make contemporary pieces that are innovative and bold.
The most striking design feature in Women’s Shoes is the set of marble tables, carved to appear like draped fabric, the tables were carefully propped in situ, styled and scanned three-dimensionally. The scans were used to carve the marble using advanced 3D carving technology.
Our vision was to create a wonderful journey through the building, with each level bringing new images and materials, responding to its historic context, its product range and Venice itself, creating a constant dialogue between old and new. We wanted to create a playful and exploratory department store with variation and surprise on all levels.
