In celebration of the first edition of Venice Climate Week and within the framework of the Venice Biennale Architettura, on Tuesday, June 3, Sanlorenzo Arts inaugurated Casa Sanlorenzo, cultural and artistic lab that transcends time, from its historical roots to more contemporary and innovative expressions, both culturally and architecturally.
Casa Sanlorenzo, which stands in front of the Basilica Santa Maria della Salute, is a new space with an unconventional approach that stems from the conviction that, today, a brand like Sanlorenzo, worldwide leader in luxury yachting, can no longer limit itself to producing excellent products, but must take on an active cultural role.
“Our aim with Casa Sanlorenzo is to offer a reference point for initiatives linked to the world of Sanlorenzo Arts, an entity conceived with the goal of celebrating and supporting the union between art, design and culture, where innovation and creativity can flourish without limits.”, said Massimo Perotti, Executive Chairman Sanlorenzo. “Casa Sanlorenzo becomes a place where one enters to stop, reflect and share.
A space of research, where art does not simply adorn, but rather interrogates. Where design does not impress, but guides. Where beauty is never for its own sake, but the bearer of ethics. In an increasingly virtual world, we wanted to invest in presence, in meaningful encounters, and in shared experiences. Because we believe that authenticity requires substance, time, and human connection. And Venice is the perfect place for this project.”
An innovative, evolving space
Casa Sanlorenzo features a dynamic, open and inclusive architecture designed to promote diversity, sustainability and the active participation of the artistic community and the public.
Restored by the visionary creativity of architect Piero Lissoni and the studio Lissoni & Partners, its mission is to be a center for research and experimentation, where artists can explore new forms of expression and where the dialogue between art and society becomes an engine for change.
The building, that spans approximately 1000 sqm with a garden of about 600 sqm, houses two interconnected spaces: Casa Sanlorenzo, a private apartment, and over seven hundred square meters, combined with the outdoor area, devoted to exhibitions, shows and Sanlorenzo’s contemporary art collection, an ever-evolving collection spanning from 1965 to present day. The collection reflects the cultural and artistic transformations of recent decades, serving as a bridge between generations of artists and current aesthetic trends.
The restoration of the building, where history meets innovation
Casa Sanlorenzo is located within a 1940s mansion, whose original architecture has been preserved through targeted structural interventions. The location, facing the Basilica Santa Maria della Salute, adds design value, and the large surrounding garden, a rarity in Venice, further enriches the environment.
The restoration of the building was also designed to honor its historical soul. The brick facades were enhanced and some original elements, such as part of the floors, preserved. Where restoration was not possible, spaces were reinterpreted with a contemporary architectural language that enhances the exhibition function, creating a flexible and welcoming environment.
One of the most innovative elements of the project is the glass staircase. Technically advanced and transparent, the staircase echoes the pre-existing geometries while being reimagined through the use of glass and steel, bringing lightness to the spaces and creating a dialogue between the original materials and newly introduced ones.
Concrete floors alternate with Palladian and Portoro floors, while white walls highlight the artwork on display. An adaptive lighting system allows light to be modulated according to the needs of the exhibitions, enhancing the visitor experience.
The bridge, in perfect harmony with the Venetian aesthetic
A key element of the restoration is the bridge that connects Casa Sanlorenzo to the surrounding area. Also designed by Lissoni & Partners, it is not just an architecture of passage, but an ideal bridge with a profound cultural function. Its contemporary structure, inspired by the pre-existing one, is designed to be sophisticated and technological while maintaining a strong connection to Venetian history.
“I believe that the opportunity to build a bridge in Venice for Sanlorenzo Arts is more unique than rare. The bridge is, in fact, an incredibly complex architectural staircase, and to me, it also embodies a range of other meanings.” explained Piero Lissoni, Art Director Sanlorenzo. “Besides connecting two different points, the bridge connects different worlds. It is no coincidence that the expressions ‘creating cultural bridges’ and ‘making human bridges’ are used. This bridge for me is not simply a vehicle to transport people, but a cultural bridge, an ideal bridge.”
Made entirely of prefabricated metal and already assembled, the bridge features a surface of Istrian stone, typical of the lagoon city, and a wooden handrail crafted to resemble an oar, to highlight the connection with the water. Its “humpback” shape is reminiscent of medieval bridges, while the metal arch expresses a simple, linear aesthetic. Technologically advanced, the bridge uses calendering for the metal part, with steps in classical Venetian masegni made of Istrian stone, treated to prevent slipping. The metal has been protected against local weathering elements while maintaining a refined aesthetic.
Not only a symbol of the brand’s philosophy between art, design and innovation, Casa Sanlorenzo is also one of the official venues of Venice Climate Week, hosting from 4 to 6 June the ‘Sanlorenzo Talks”, a series of meetings and conversations dedicated to the themes of ecological transition and sustainable innovation, with prominent guests from the scientific, cultural and industrial world.
Casa Sanlorenzo therefore represents a new vision of contemporary art, uniting entrepreneurship, creativity and research in a single space of connection and growth. With its opening in Venice, this project marks the beginning of an ambitious journey, in which art becomes the engine of a collective reflection on the present and the future. A new route for the contemporary, guided by Sanlorenzo’s passion and vision.
