Carlo Scarpa in Bologna: Gavina showroom

03/06/2023 - Category: Shop

If you love modern architecture and interior design you already know that in Bologna there's a precious jewel that draws visitors from around the world: it's Gavina showroom in Via Altabella, 23.

Carlo Scarpa, one of the most important Italian architects of the twentieth century, designed the shop in 1960 and opened in 1962 to host Gavina's furniture showroom.

Gavina shop bologna - Carlo Scarpa - Details

Who is Carlo Scarpa

Carlo Scarpa is one of the most important Italian architects and designers of the 20th century.

He was born in Venice in 1906 and spent there most of his life, but his works are all around Italy: in Venice, Palermo, Verona, and even Bologna.

His prestigious teaching and professional activities are mainly focused on the preparation of exhibitions and shows, the restoration of monuments, and the construction of private homes and shops.

Carlo Scarpa developed projects and interventions within ancient contexts, utilizing his ability to interpret the existing architecture.

This feature was viewed as a limitation by his contemporaries, but today’s critics consider it a strength.

Carlo Scarpa is buried in the Asolo cemetery, near the Brion Tomb, one of his most iconic masterpieces.
In a quiet corner of the cemetery’s garden, his son Tobia Scarpa designed his tomb. True to his unconventional spirit, Scarpa chose to be buried standing.

Carlo Scapa Gavina's showroom in Bologna

The store I have designed for Bologna, I hope it will be worthy of the things he makes and capable of lasting for those he intends to make in the future

In Italy, there are only two stores designed by Scarpa.
One is in Piazza San Marco in Venice and hosts Olivetti showroom, the other one is in Bologna.

The Bologna store, located on the ground floor of a former ironmonger's shop, required significant adaptation to suit the client’s display needs.
The space was divided by load-bearing walls, posing a challenge to Scarpa’s vision.

Scarpa's design transformed the building into a landmark of contemporary architecture.

The most striking feature is its large round windows, which defined the store's identity.

The name "GAVINA" is written in gold leaf on a strip.

Scarpa constructed also a dramatic “shield” at the entrance—a large concrete slab chiseled with long, elegant stripes.

True to his reputation for meticulous attention to thresholds.
He emphasized the store entrance with a copper-plated step with a gate made of Japanese fir, padauk wood, and glass. This unique design allowed passersby to glimpse the shop's interior even before entering.

Given the structural limitations, the interior is an unusual space. A sort of path leads through to the back, where the spaces are numbered in succession.

Scarpa used a pool of water on two levels, reflecting the light coming from above and then projected onto a complex pattern of tiles.

Today this work is universally recognized as a cornerstone of contemporary Italian architecture.

How to visit the Gavina Showroom in Bologna

The showroom was used by Gavina until 1990 and then became a toy shop by Hoffmann until Feb. 2016.

In September 2020 the shop opened again to exhibit clothes under the name Vintage55.

Try to imagine it as it was, but even with trendy clothes, it's nothing less than amazing.