The elegant intelligence of the great architect Carlo Scarpa lies behind this true masterpiece of 20th-century architecture; after years of neglect, the doors have re-opened to reveal once again its spaces so meticulously designed and crafted my master artisans.
Entrusted to FAI on a loan-for-use basis by Generali Italia in 2011
Walking under the colonnades of the Procuratie Vecchie, you come to a small corner premises that, in 1957, Adriano Olivetti identified as the ideal building for a showcase that could transmit the company’s cultural values in a context where modernity and innovation could live together while respecting the time-honoured surroundings. This challenging commission was given to the Venetian architect Carlo Scarpa, who completely overhauled the dark, narrow, original unit with an open-plan design based on a brilliant, cutting-edge re-organisation of the spaces, in order to re-shape the volumes while making the most of the light and engaging in a dialogue with the decorative elements.
The resulting interior achieves a captivating equilibrium between functionality and style, with at its heart a light-filled space embellished by the Alberto Viani sculpture Nude in the Sun, which welcomes visitors into the showroom. But the true touch of genius is the extraordinary central staircase, seemingly suspended in the void – a bona fide masterpiece of lightness and dynamism. It is a rhythm that also marks out the spaces of the two long galleries on the upper floor, home to a number of small office spaces and to a part of the exhibition of vintage Olivetti typewriters and calculators. Scarpa's gift is also evident in the painstaking choice of materials: Aurisina marble, rosewood, African teak, metals and stone are all found alongside traditional Venetian stucco and mosaics revisited in a modern key. It is a design with great expressive and cultural impact that, after years of neglect, was given back to the city by Assicurazioni Generali, at the urging of FAI, which had flagged up the problem. Having restored the space, Generali entrusted its conservation and enhancement to FAI in 2011.
From Tuesday to Sunday: 10am - 6.30pm
Last entry: 30 minutes before the closure
*In the event of high tide higher than 90 cm above the average sea level (acqua alta), the opening hours may be subject to change.
From Santa Lucia train station
- on foot to St Mark's Square
- by vaporetto to the Ponte di Rialto stop, then on foot to St Mark's Square.
Entry fare
Free from April 21st to November 27th 2022.
Entry fares with guided tours:
For days and times, click here.
- FAI members: 5€
- Full fare: 10€
After November 27th 2022:
Entry fares
FAI members: free entry
Adults: €10
Reduced (aged 6-18): €5
Children aged 0-5: free entry
Residents of the Venice City Council area: €5
Students aged 25 or under: €6
National Trust members: free entry
Family: €26. Allows entry at reduced rates for family groups composed of 2 adults and 2 children (6-18 years of age). Free entry for any additional children in the family group.
Dive into Negozio Olivetti, a masterpiece of 20th-century architecture, with a guided tour: in English every Thursday at 12:00 pm, in Italian every Sunday at 5.30 pm.The tour lasts 1 hour.
Prices
FAI members: €5
Adults: €15
Reduced (aged 6-18): €10
Children aged 0-5: free entry
Residents of the Venice City Council area: €10
Students aged 25 or under: € 11
National Trust members: free entry
Family: €40. Allows entry at reduced rates for family groups composed of 2 adults and 2 children (6-18 years of age). Free entry for any additional children in the family group.
Private guided tours are available for a maximum of 25 participants.
For a combined tour of Negozio Olivetti and Querini Stampalia Foundation (2 hours), please write to fainegoziolivetti@fondoambiente.it
English guided tours on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 12:00pm.
Italian guided tours on Wednesadys, Fridays and Sundays at 12:00pm.
The tour lasts 1 hour.
Purchases from the bookshop make a tangible contribution to supporting the work of FAI.
Disabled visitors can access free-of-charge those FAI properties that are open to the public by showing their ANMIC (Associazione Nazionale Mutilati e Invalidi Civili) card.
An elegant space in St Mark’s Square, Venice
Designed by Carlo Scarpa as a showroom for Olivetti typewriters, this unique, small space in St Mark’s Square is exquisitely elegant.
An ideal set for photo and film shoots, within a stunning architectural space, it is also suitable for small, private receptions.
By choosing a FAI property for your event, you are contributing to the conservation and protection of Italy’s heritage.
For information
Olivetti Showroom fainegoziolivetti@fondoambiente.it
