THE LIGHTHOUSE
/Ezra Pound Papers Exhibition at Venice/
Building type:
Public Gallery, Library.
IUAV Architecture Master degree studio project.
Location:
Arsenale, Venezia, Italy
Area:
Estimate 6000 m2
Team Work
Year:
2022
Professor :
Professor. Emanuela Sorbo
Professor. Sebastian Irarrazaval Delpiano
Professor. Salvatore Russo
See, they return, one, and by one,
With fear, as half-awakened;
As if the snow should hesitate
And murmur in the wind, and half turn back;
The Return
Ezra Pound - 1885-1972
The 'new' may be regarded as an invasion of the past. However, many of Venice's structures would be like dried-up dead skins without the energy of new things. The tension between old and new inspired this project. The chosen site is Arsenale di Venezia which is estimated to be founded in the early twelfth century. Essentially, the proposal seeks to inject new life into every brick block to provide a livelihood for the whole community. The exhibition is located at the crossroads of ancient and contemporary. As a result, the project offers a chance to rethink the future and coexist with what is already in place, as well as to push ourselves to consider whether or not to develop an arsenal in the future.
Instead of creating monumental historical architecture, we develop elements that will complement the historical atmosphere of Arsenale di Venezia. Therefore, Acque Minerali's mystery could be revealed to the public. Within the Ezra Pound exhibition, the visitor will be introduced to the legacy of Ezra Pound through his papers. Visitors can observe the entire scenario of Veniceatn the top of the staircase at the end of the trip.
This is the development of Arsenale, one of the world's first shipyards. There are three major epochs: the 17th century, the 1700s, and the 1880s. Following the study conducted during the course, we determined that the roofing system, particularly the wooden trusses, is the most critical aspect of cultural value. As a result, we propose a critical intervention for the wooden trusses and drainage system. Furthermore, we upgrade the floor system with horizontal crawl spaces that dehumidify and protect the walls and environs from dampness.
This is Arsenale's axonometric. We use all of the sections on the right for permanent exhibitions, temporary galleries, restaurants, and the tower. The main entry hall, located close to the existing entrance, will be in the center. And then there's the auditorium. We suggest the library, restaurant, researcher rooms, and administration office on the left.
The Exhibition Is About Ezra Pound.
Many of Ezra Pound's legacy is im-material. They are mainly presented on paper. Each piece of paper points out some information about Ezra Pound (personal life, communication, works). To recognize his legacy, we need to overlap those papers with each other so that we can barely have a general point of view about him.
The Tower.
On the one hand, this tower will serve as an iconic and appealing focal point for the entire arsenal renovation. Visitors may consider this a landmark point for Arsenale's Ezra Pound exhibition. This tower is also a powerful symbol of Ezra Pound's influence on many great poets of our day. The tower's top material will be a transparent metal mesh that will light up in the dark. There is a staircase sequence that allows guests to see the entire scene of Venice from the top.
The Bookstore, Restaurant, and Library.
The proposal is to create a new structure within the old one, with double steel columns supporting the new features and serving as a frame for the bookcase. The reading room is remarkable because it floats over the original column, eliminating contact with the ancient construction.