AD Classics: 奥利维蒂展厅 / Carlo Scarpa

AD Classics: Olivetti Exhibition Hall/Carlo Scarpa
AD Classics: 奥利维蒂展厅 / Carlo Scarpa

空间叙事的精湛演绎：卡洛·斯卡帕的奥利维蒂展厅并非仅仅是一个展示空间，而是一个精心雕琢的空间叙事。他巧妙地利用既有建筑结构的限制，通过引入自然光、设计标志性的楼梯和悬浮的走道，创造了一种微妙而富有戏剧性的氛围。展厅内的每一个元素都被赋予了叙事功能，从楼梯的雕塑感，到材料接缝的有意展现，无不体现着他对空间语言的深刻理解。斯卡帕将建筑视为一种艺术形式，通过细节的精心编排和材料的独特运用，将奥利维蒂产品的优雅与创新完美地融入到空间之中，为观者带来沉浸式的体验。

细节的诗意与材料的对话：斯卡帕对于细节的掌控达到了炉火纯青的地步。黄铜、金属等材料的运用，贯穿于展厅的各个角落，不仅仅是装饰，更是光影与时间流逝的载体。楼梯支架、门五金、柱缝等，无一不体现着斯卡帕对材料质感的极致追求。特别是楼梯的设计，它悬浮于空中，每一级踏步的独特形状和错落有致的黄铜支架，赋予了楼梯独特的生命力。这种设计打破了传统的生硬感，赋予了空间以轻盈和灵动。斯卡帕还巧妙地运用了材料的特性，让黄铜随着时间的推移而氧化，记录下岁月的痕迹，从而使建筑本身也成为一个动态的艺术品。

结构与错觉的和谐统一：在奥利维蒂展厅中，斯卡帕展现了结构与错觉的巧妙融合。他并非追求绝对的结构真实性，而是通过视觉上的暗示，创造出令人玩味的视觉效果。中央立柱的设计就是一个典型的例子，看似嵌入横梁，实则中空，这种设计打破了传统，赋予了空间以独特的韵律感。地面水磨石的运用，也体现了斯卡帕对于细节的极致追求，看似浑然一体，却在关键位置显露出微妙的接缝，既组织了空间，又保持了其开放性。这种对结构与错觉的巧妙运用，以及对材质细节的精雕细琢，使得展厅超越了实用功能，成为一件富有诗意的空间艺术品。

The Olivetti exhibition hall designed by Carlo Scarpa is hidden under the colonnade of St. Mark's Square in Venice, exuding a unique temperament that cannot be ignored despite its understated appearance. It attracts a special group of visitors: those who are eager to explore the hidden yet lesser known architectural treasures of Scapa. Although the exhibition hall is not large in scale, it is rich in details and carefully maintained by the Italian National Trust Fund (FAI, Fondo Ambiente Italiano).
卡洛·斯卡帕（Carlo Scarpa）设计的奥利维蒂（Olivetti）展厅隐匿于威尼斯圣马可广场的柱廊之下，虽不张扬却散发着一种不容忽视的独特气质。它却吸引着一群特别的访客：那些热衷于探寻斯卡帕那些隐藏在显眼之处、却鲜为人知的建筑瑰宝的人。展厅规模虽不大，却细节丰富，由意大利国家信托基金（FAI，Fondo Ambiente Italiano）精心维护。

Main Stair - Floor Opening and Hollow Beam Detail - Stair Details - Olivetti Showroom / Carlo Scarpa © EBRIMINI via Shutterstock
Main Stair - Floor Opening and Hollow Beam Detail - Stair Details - Olivetti Showroom / Carlo Scarpa © EBRIMINI via Shutterstock

The story of the Olivetti Exhibition Hall began in 1956, when Scapa won the prestigious Olivetti National Architecture Award. The following year, Olivetti, a company known for producing typewriters and with foresight in the field of design, commissioned Scapa to build an exhibition hall in Venice. The purpose is not to build a traditional retail space, but to enhance the style of its products through architecture. This exhibition hall was completed in 1958. Rather than being a store, it is more like a stage: a carefully planned environment aimed at showcasing the elegance and innovation of Olivetti machines.
奥利维蒂展厅的故事始于 1956 年，当时斯卡帕荣获了享有盛誉的奥利维蒂国家建筑奖。次年，以生产打字机而闻名且在设计领域颇具前瞻性的奥利维蒂公司委托斯卡帕在威尼斯打造一座展厅。其目的并非建造一个传统的零售空间，而是希望通过建筑来提升其产品的格调。这座展厅于 1958 年竣工，与其说它是一家商店，不如说它更像是一个舞台：一个精心策划的环境，旨在展现奥利维蒂机器的优雅与创新。

Under the constraints of the existing building structure, Scapa introduced a series of ingenious spatial renovation techniques. He added new windows and opened up the indoor space to introduce natural light, creating a subtle, dramatic, and precise atmosphere. While preserving the historical style of the building, he completely transformed the spatial experience - most notably through the iconic staircase design and the re planning of the upper level space into suspended walkways and balconies. These suspended elements maintain the openness of the flat layout and inject a sense of lightness and agility into the originally dim space.
在现有建筑结构的限制条件下开展工作，斯卡帕引入了一系列精妙的空间改造手法。他增设了新的窗户，并打通室内空间以引入自然光，营造出一种微妙而富有戏剧性且精准的氛围。在保留建筑历史风貌的同时，他彻底改变了空间体验 —— 其中最显著的是通过标志性的楼梯设计，以及将上层空间重新规划为悬空的走道和阳台。这些悬浮的元素保持了平面布局的开阔感，并为原本昏暗的空间注入了一种轻盈与灵动之感。

The building experienced a period of decline, during which the space was transformed into a souvenir shop and was in a state of disrepair due to lack of maintenance. Subsequently, the exhibition hall underwent strict restoration work in 2011. Now, it has been restored to its original appearance, once again showcasing Olivetti's heritage and Scarpa's outstanding architectural talent: this is a rare and timeless fusion of industrial design and spatial poetry.
该建筑经历过一段衰落期，在此期间，该空间被改造成了纪念品商店，且因疏于维护而破败不堪，而后，展厅于 2011 年经历了严格的修复工程。如今，它已恢复原貌，再次彰显了奥利维蒂（Olivetti）的传承与斯卡帕（Scarpa）卓越的建筑才华：这是工业设计与空间诗意的一次罕见且历久弥新的交融。

Stepping into the Olivetti exhibition hall, the first thing that catches people's attention is undoubtedly the meticulously crafted and elegantly presented staircase. It appears to be suspended in mid air, with each step having a unique shape and size, supported by a series of deliberately misaligned brass brackets that echo the irregular rhythm of the steps themselves. This deliberate asymmetry gives the staircase a natural and dynamic quality, softening the stiffness of the rectangular layout and injecting dynamism and vitality into the space.
踏入奥利维蒂（Olivetti）展厅，首先吸引人们目光的无疑是那座精心雕琢、优雅呈现的楼梯。它看似悬浮于半空，每一级踏步的形状与尺寸都独一无二，由一系列刻意错位的黄铜支架支撑，这些支架与踏步本身不规则的节奏相呼应。这种刻意为之的不对称赋予了楼梯一种自然灵动的特质，柔化了矩形平面布局的生硬感，为空间注入了动感与活力。

Main Stair - Floor Opening and Hollow Beam Detail - Stair Details - Olivetti Showroom by Carlo Scarpa © Jonathan Yeung
Main Stair - Floor Opening and Hollow Beam Detail - Stair Details - Olivetti Showroom by Carlo Scarpa © Jonathan Yeung

Stair Details - Olivetti Showroom / Carlo Scarpa © Jonathan Yeung
Stair Details - Olivetti Showroom / Carlo Scarpa © Jonathan Yeung

This staircase is located at the core of the space, and its function goes far beyond passage - it is a sculptural central artwork, a display interface, a temporary workbench, and even an informal bench. In addition to its aesthetic value and practical function, it cleverly solves a key spatial problem: the staircase surrounds a large storage space or backstage area that could have awkwardly separated the exhibition hall. Through this design, the staircase seamlessly integrates this massive volume into the overall spatial layout, maintaining the coherence and openness of the space.
这座楼梯位于空间的核心位置，其功能远不止于通行 —— 它是一件雕塑般的中心艺术品，是一个展示界面，是一张临时工作台，甚至还能充当非正式的长凳。除了具备美学价值和实用功能外，它还巧妙地解决了一个关键的空间难题：楼梯环绕着一个原本可能会笨拙地分隔展厅的大型储物空间或后台区域，通过这种设计，楼梯将这一庞大体量无缝融入整体空间布局之中，保持了空间的连贯性与开阔感。

The use of brass and metal details is not limited to stairs, but can be seen in every corner of the exhibition hall, such as door hardware, cabinet handles, handrails, column seams, and suspension components. These decorative elements often mark the transitional moments of space. At the microscale, they act as bridges between materials - harmonizing contrasts and softening joints. At the macro scale, they define the transformation of space. For example, each tie rod supporting the elevated walkway is equipped with a polished bronze sleeve at the top, enhancing the visual sense of suspension. These shining points complement the brass staircase brackets, forming a dazzling connected star cluster - every detail silently showcases Scarpa's firm belief in the expressive power of details.
黄铜与金属细节的运用不仅局限于楼梯，在展厅的各个角落都可见其身影，如门五金件、橱柜拉手、扶手、柱缝以及悬挂构件等。这些点缀元素常常标记着空间的过渡时刻。在微观尺度上，它们在材料之间起到桥梁作用 —— 调和对比，柔化接缝。在宏观尺度上，它们则定义了空间的转换。例如，支撑高架走道的每一根拉杆顶端都装有一个抛光的青铜套头，强化了视觉上的悬浮感。这些闪亮的点与黄铜楼梯支架相互呼应，共同构成了一个璀璨的连接星群 —— 每一个细节都无声地彰显着斯卡帕对细节表现力的坚定信念。

Suspension Rod Details - Stair Details - Olivetti Showroom /

Carlo Scarpa © Jonathan Yeung

The role of these metal decorative elements goes far beyond decoration. Just as Scarpa re planned the indoor space to welcome natural light - introducing windows, walkways, and open views - the use of brass elements brought a second layer of light and shadow effects to the space. This is not a dazzling artificial light, but a soft, reflective glow that adds a touch of warmth to the dim interior. As the brass material ages, it gradually oxidizes and changes color, recording the flow of time and injecting a sense of weight into the material's color palette. In this way, even the smallest details are integrated into the overall atmosphere of the space.
这些金属装饰元素的作用远不止于装饰。正如斯卡帕重新规划室内空间以迎接自然光 —— 引入窗户、走道和开阔的视线 —— 黄铜元素的运用为空间带来了第二重光影效果。这并非刺眼的人工光线，而是一种柔和、反射性的微光，为昏暗的室内增添了一抹温暖。随着黄铜材质的岁月沉淀，它会逐渐氧化变色，记录下时光的流转，为材料调色盘注入时间的厚重感。如此一来，即便是最微小的细节，也融入了整体空间氛围的营造之中。

Rear Door and Details - Stair Details - Olivetti Showroom / Carlo Scarpa © Jonathan Yeung
Rear Door and Details - Stair Details - Olivetti Showroom / Carlo Scarpa © Jonathan Yeung

The precision of Scarpa's material application is particularly evident on the central pillar. At first glance, this vertical pillar seems to be embedded in a crossbeam, reminiscent of the elegance of traditional woodworking techniques. However, upon closer examination, it can be seen that this connection is actually a clever visual illusion: the column is actually hollow, forming a vertical gap that separates the column from the beam that appears to be supported by it. The so-called tenon joint is not a structural detail, but a sculptural surface treatment - it is only a visual suggestion, not a load-bearing joint. This misleading design theme continues at the corners of the columns, and Scapa abandons sharp diagonal joints and instead uses lap joints. However, even so, this overlap is not mechanically neat or clean - it intentionally presents a rough and irregular texture, a tactile expression of cutting and edges. Scapa did not deliberately hide the material seams, but instead highlighted them, creating a tension between delicacy and roughness. It is this interaction between structure and illusion, precision and imperfection that defines the spatial language of the exhibition hall.
斯卡帕（Scarpa）在材料运用上的精准度在中央立柱上体现得尤为明显。乍一看，这根垂直立柱仿佛嵌入了一根横梁之中，令人联想到传统木工技艺的优雅。然而，仔细端详便会发现，这种连接其实是一种巧妙的视觉错觉：立柱实为中空，形成了一个垂直的空隙，将立柱与看似由它支撑的横梁分隔开来。所谓的榫口并非结构细节，而是一种雕塑般的表面处理 —— 它只是一种视觉上的暗示，而非承重关节。这种误导性的设计主题在立柱的转角处得以延续，斯卡帕摒弃了棱角分明的斜接，转而采用搭接缝。但即便如此，这种搭接也并非机械般规整或干净利落 —— 它故意呈现出粗糙与不规则的质感，是对切割与边缘的触觉表达。斯卡帕并未刻意隐藏材料接缝，反而将其凸显出来，在精致与粗犷之间营造出一种张力。正是这种结构与错觉、精准与不完美之间的相互作用，定义了展厅的空间语言。

Floor Opening and Hollow Beam Detail - Stair Details - Olivetti Showroom / Carlo Scarpa © Jonathan Yeung
Floor Opening and Hollow Beam Detail - Stair Details - Olivetti Showroom / Carlo Scarpa © Jonathan Yeung

Column Lap Joint Detail - Stair Details - Olivetti Showroom by Carlo Scarpa © Jonathan Yeung
Column Lap Joint Detail - Stair Details - Olivetti Showroom by Carlo Scarpa © Jonathan Yeung

Another noteworthy detail in this project is the ground. The ground is composed of marble and glass fragments embedded in a matrix similar to terrazzo. Under the reflection of ambient light, the surface emits a soft luster, projecting delicate light and shadow reflections, adding a sense of liveliness to the space. At first glance, the ground appears seamlessly integrated, but only at critical locations such as where it meets the wall, extends along the edge of the staircase, or changes in color tone will the seams be revealed. These subtle boundaries cleverly organize the space without cutting it apart, preserving the open and coherent nature of the exhibition hall. Here, as throughout the entire project, Scapa's excellence lies in his ability to imbue every seam and transition with meaning - elevating architectural construction into spatial art.
这个项目中还有一个细节引人注目：那就是地面。地面由大理石和玻璃碎片嵌入类似水磨石的基质中构成，在环境光的映照下，表面散发出柔和的光泽，投射出细腻的光影反射，为空间增添了灵动之感。乍一看，地面浑然一体，但在关键位置 —— 如与墙面相接处、沿着楼梯边缘延伸处，或是色调转变之处 —— 才会显露出接缝。这些微妙的分界线巧妙地组织了空间，却并未将其割裂，保留了展厅开放且连贯的特质。在这里，正如在整个项目中一样，斯卡帕的卓越之处在于他能够赋予每一个接缝和过渡以意义 —— 将建筑构造升华为空间艺术。

Floor Transition Details - Floor Opening and Hollow Beam Detail - Stair Details - Olivetti Showroom / Carlo Scarpa © Jonathan Yeung
Floor Transition Details - Floor Opening and Hollow Beam Detail - Stair Details - Olivetti Showroom / Carlo Scarpa © Jonathan Yeung