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Lighting design: Ferrara Palladino Lightscape with Marco Miglioli.
Client: François Pinault Foundation. Architectural design: Tadao Ando. Systems and structures design: E. Tranquilli, A. Lagrecacolonna, Tecnobrevetti and S.Rigato. Photographs: ORCH Orsenigo Cremollo.
VENICE | ITALY
The “Teatrino” of Palazzo Grassi in Venice, connected to the homonymous museum, was designed to host events and exhibitions associated with the museum or the “Biennale”.
Central atrium and access to the auditorium. On the ceiling you can see some of the triangular skylights which at night turn into bright lanterns.
Inaugurated in 2013, the “Teatrino” of Palazzo Grassi is distributed over two main areas: a spacious foyer and a sober auditorium that can accommodate up to 225 people. Upon entering the “Teatrino” you are welcomed into a space characterized by imposing triangle-shaped openings, which cut the curvilinear walls, and it is lit by a soft zenithal light coming from triangular skylights placed on the ceiling.
The interior of the building, whose external skin follows the profile of the original structure, is characterized by fluid spaces, in continuity with each other, which lead from the atrium to the main theater. Each space is used both as a place for temporary art exhibitions and as a place for theatrical performances, film screenings or conferences.
Perimeter corridor next to the central atrium
Perimeter corridor and secondary access to the auditorium
The light follows and delicately underlines the organic nature of the space so as not to conflict with the strong volumes of the “Teatrino”. The new building is composed of two main areas: the auditorium and the atrium or theater foyer.
The auditorium is lit mainly by a sequence of parallel cuts that mark the ceiling and which, through an electronically controlled dynamic light system, flood the space with light that simulates natural light.
In the atrium, lines of light follow the contours of the ceiling, where skylights house lighting elements, creating a constant interplay between natural and artificial light.
Interior of the auditorium. On the ceiling there are some cuts inside which a system of colored lights simulates sunlight and the passing of the day, sometimes with a sporadic clouds crossing.
Interior of the auditorium
Central Atrium during an event
Side access to the central atrium
The continuity of the ceiling of the central atrium and the perimeter corridors, whose outline is marked by a luminous cut, which has the function of giving light to the space and highlighting the architecture, is interrupted by triangular skylights. While during the day they allow natural light to filter through, at night, by means of a sophisticated lighting system, they are transformed into bright lanterns.
“Discover Teatrino di Palazzo Grassi”. Official video of Palazzo Grassi | Punta della Dogana