Rialto Book­case

An architect who renovated existing buildings, Carlo Scarpa is often called one of the most underappreciated modern masters. His aesthetic was defined by an obsession with detail, numerology, and history. Scarpa is best known for his architectural works, including the elegant renovation of the Museo di Castelvecchio in Verona, but he also designed furniture, such as the award-winning Doge table for Simon/Gavina.

Born in Venice in 1906, he graduated from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Venice and went on to be the director of Venini Glassworks from 1932 to 1947. It is there that Scarpa’s distinct approach to materials and craftsmanship began to emerge. His travels to Japan and the influence of other architects he admired—he idolized Frank Lloyd Wright—began to inform his work. The strict angular composition of his structures was always complemented by a spiritual element. No project was alike, and each had a unique history and strong connection to its surroundings. In 1968, Scarpa took on his final project, a private burial in the Brion Cemetery near the Dolomite Mountains. The tomb would end up being the architect’s final resting place.