The Fondaco dei Tedeschi was first built in 1228 and is located at the foot of the Rialto Bridge in Venice. As one of the largest and most famous buildings in Venice, it was originally designed and built as a trading post for German merchants. After a very eventful past, various reconstructions and owners, it was restored to its current state between 2009 - 2016.
The OMA office of the renowned architect Rem Koolhaas was in charge of the project, but the interior fit-out was largely realized by English architect Jamie Fobert.
Materials such as copper, brass, steel and aluminum were used as well as various types and colors of marble, various wood veneers and solid wood elements, textiles, various plaster colors, glass and lights of all kinds.
The South Tyrolean shopfitting company Schweitzer Retail built and installed the designed furniture and interior fittings for this modern, urban luxury department store and cultural center, which is intended to be an important destination and vantage point for tourists and Venetians alike.
I was commissioned to take interior photos of this extraordinary building, the store design and the furniture and materials used.
