Procuratie Vecchie Venice, Italy

The restoration of the monumental north wing of St. Mark’s Square in Venice coincides with the first-ever opening to the public of the headquarters of The Human Safety Net foundation established by Generali, one of the world’s largest insurers.

As the historic masterpiece is restored to its original splendour, a carbon-neutral exhibition venue, auditorium and business centre are establishing it as a contemporary showcase for one of the most sustainable architectural schemes yet developed in Europe.

Software originally developed for the space industry has been used to provide the detailed seismic data required to plan the structural interventions. The building also features an air conditioning and heating system that uses no fossil fuels, and adjusts its output to reflect the actual number of people in the building. In this skilful mar- riage, frescoes, decorated timber ceilings and a broad spectrum of recycled natural materials interact with the very latest technology.

Originally the seat of the Procurators, the second most important figures in the Venetian Empire after the Doge, the north wing of St Mark’s Square in Venice has been owned by Generali since 1831.

Technical Sheet

• Architect: David Chipperfield, Milan

• Developer: Generali Real Estate