Negozio Olivetti — Attraction in Venice

The Olivetti showroom on the Piazza San Marco is an architectural jewel designed by Carlo Scarpa in 1957 and abandoned by Olivetti in the early 1990s. The FAI foundation has restored the interiors scrupulously, and it is a joy to visit.

But FAI has missed a huge opportunity to document Olivetti's technical and design innovations... it was after all a showroom! Rather than display a broad selection of products, they show multiple copies of a small number of models.

Where are the iconic Valentine and the gorgeous Praxis 48, both designed by Sotsass? Where is the ground-breaking P101, a programmable calculator sometimes called the first personal computer (1965!)? (They do sell a book about it.) Even for the few typewriters and calculators on display, their significance isn't explained.

For that matter, why are the walls covered with unrelated artwork when they could show the innovative graphic design of Olivetti's ads and posters by Pintori, Ballmer, Glaser and others?

The one extraordinary object on display is the astonishing Audit 513 (see photos), which combines an electromechanical calculator with a typewriter, apparently even handling form letters.

Of course there isn't room for a comprehensive history of Olivetti technology and design in such a small space, but FAI could at least make a small gesture in...

I am a huge fan of Carlo Scarpa! I've always wanted to visit and somehow always missed it when I came to Venice. So this time, I made sure I pay a visit 🌟 It did not dissapoint. I read a couple of negative comments about how small the gallery is and how expensive. If you appreciate and love Carlo Scarpa's work and space, you wouldn't feel that way. It is a rare opportunity to visit and walk the space he designed. Of course you're not suppose to touch anything but that's to respect the typewriters so again understandable. I'll definitely come back❣️

N.B. I am limiting my photo share so that you can visit and experience the space first hand. Also the entrance fee just means you are supporting the gallery to manage and preserve this architectural gem 💎

P.S. It was also nice to talk to the receptionist who was kind enough to let people enjoy and didn't force any of us out at...

The Olivetti Shop in Venice, officially known as the Negozio Olivetti, is a celebrated architectural gem nestled in the heart of Venice’s iconic Piazza San Marco (St. Mark’s Square). Designed in 1957–58 by the renowned Italian architect Carlo Scarpa, this small but groundbreaking space transcends its original purpose as a retail showroom for Olivetti typewriters and office equipment, standing instead as a masterpiece of mid-20th-century modernist design.

The Olivetti Shop is a testament to post-war Italy’s design renaissance, where functionality met artistry. Scarpa’s work here—often studied in architecture schools—showcases his genius for reinterpreting tradition through a modernist lens, making it a must-see for visitors exploring Venice’s lesser-known...