The new AD Showroom in Treviso is the result of a collaboration between two local architectural offices: GALEOTTI/RIZZATO ARCHITETTI and mzc+ . The project involved both the restoration of an early 20th century neoclassical villa and the construction of a new concrete pavilion. The two buildings today form a single entity in which a carefully considered dialogue between old and new finds expression in the juxtaposition of forms, materials and proportions.
AD Showroom – historicvilla in a new role
The historic villa is located at the entrance to the Italian city of Treviso from the south, near the parish of San Lazzaro. The three-storey main building and the single-storey outbuilding have undergone a comprehensive restoration. The conservation efforts focused on preserving the original character of the building while adapting it to its new functions. The changes made, such as the steel staircase and new functional layouts, were subtle and emphasised the villa’s residential pedigree. The colour of the old building’s façade was adapted to the colour of the concrete, allowing the boundary between the historic form and the modern block to be visually blurred. The garden, providing a spatial link between the villa and the pavilion, was shaped as a sequence of greenery and paths leading to the exhibition space.
The new pavilion as a counterpoint
The new building of around 300 sq m was built next to a listed villa on a side street. It was designed as a distinctly contemporary form with sandblasted concrete, large glazing and wooden frames. Simple in expression and sparing in means of expression, it acts as a counterpoint to the classicist villa. Its massing was developed with attention to the proportions and composition of the openings, with an exposed corner window and canopy. The interior of the building is dominated by concrete surfaces that contrast with smooth plaster. The composition refers to an industrial aesthetic, combining it with elements taken from residential architecture. The pavilion remains physically connected to the villa by means of a connector, which has also been restored. This solution allows for a seamless transition between zones, both spatially and temporally.
Relationship between past and present
The architects chose to juxtapose historical and modern forms in a way that avoids literal references. Instead, they focused on proportion, rhythm and composition to create a relationship between the two structures. The new pavilion does not imitate the villa, but coexists with it in formal tension, reinforcing the significance of each. The new building is equipped with a photovoltaic system installed on the flat roof, making it energy self-sufficient. A set-back patio has been designed on the eastern side, allowing outdoor furniture and exhibits to be presented. The steel staircase leading up to this space continues the language of industrial architecture, while introducing a softness into the dialogue with the greenery of the garden.
The villa grounds before and after the redevelopment. Photo: Google Maps and Marco Cappelletti
GALEOTTI/RIZZATO ARCHITETTI and mzc+. Treviso-based studios
GALEOTTI/RIZZATO ARCHITETTI has been operating since 2020 and combines architectural practice with research. Massimo Galeotti and Elisa Rizzato work both on construction projects and on the development of architectural culture in the region. The mzc+ studio, on the other hand, has been in operation since 1979 and specialises in historic preservation and interior design. The office has completed numerous projects in Venice, Bologna, Treviso and Tripoli. It is currently managing 15 projects and collaborates with Matteo Thun, among others. In recent years, the studio has been awarded several times in architectural competitions.
Name: AD Showroom
Location: Via Terraglio 69, Treviso, Italy
Design: GALEOTTI/RIZZATO ARCHITETTI,(http://www.galeottirizzato.com)
Collaboration: mzc+ ,(http://www.mzcplus.it)
Contractor: Camillo Mardegan Snc
Completion of construction: April 2024
Plot: 1,200 sq m.
Villa: 320 sq m.
New building: 320 sq m.
Photographer: Marco Cappelletti,(http://www.marcocappelletti.com)
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