Casa Sanlorenzo Opens in Venice
In celebration of the first edition of Venice Climate Week and within the framework of the Venice Biennale Architettura, on Tuesday, June 3, Sanlorenzo Arts inaugurated Casa Sanlorenzo, cultural and artistic lab that transcends time, from its historical roots to more contemporary and innovative expressions, both culturally and architecturally. Casa Sanlorenzo, which stands in front of the Basilica Santa Maria della Salute, is a new space with an unconventional approach that stems from the conviction that, today, a brand like Sanlorenzo, worldwide leader in luxury yachting, can no longer limit itself to producing excellent products, but must take on an active cultural role. “Our aim with Casa Sanlorenzo is to offer a reference point for initiatives linked to the world of Sanlorenzo Arts, an entity conceived with the goal of celebrating and supporting the union between art, design and culture, where innovation and creativity can flourish without limits.”, said Massimo Perotti, Executive Chairman Sanlorenzo. “Casa Sanlorenzo becomes a place where one enters to stop, reflect and shore. A space of research, where art does not simply adorn, but rather interrogates. Where design does not impress, but guides. Where beauty is never for its own sake, but the bearer of ethics. In an increasingly virtual world, we wanted to invest in presence, in meaningful encounters, and in shared experiences. Because we believe that authenticity requires substance, time, and human connection. And Venice is the perfect place for this project.”
An Innovative, Evolving Space
Casa Sanlorenzo features a dynamic, open and inclusive architecture designed to promote diversity, sustainability and the active participation of the artistic community and the public. Restored by the visionary creativity of architect Piero Lissoni and the studio Lissoni & Partners, its mission is to be a center for research and experimentation, where artists can explore new forms of expression and where the dialogue between art and society becomes an engine for change.
The building, that spans approximately 1000 m² with a garden of about 600 m², houses two interconnected spaces Casa Sanlorenzo, a private apartment, and over seven hundred square meters, combined with the outdoor area, devoted to exhibitions, shows and Sanlorenzo’s contemporary art collection, an ever-evolving collection spanning from 1965 to present day. The collection reflects the cultural and artistic transformations of recent decades, serving as a bridge between generations of artists and current aesthetic trends.
The Restoration of the Building, Where History Meets Innovation
Casa Sanlorenzo is located within a 1940s mansion, whose original architecture has been preserved through targeted structural interventions. The location, facing the Basilica Santa Maria della Salute, adds design value, and the large surrounding garden, a rarity in Venice, further enriches the environment.
The restoration of the building was also designed to honor its historical soul. The brick facades were enhanced and some original elements, such as part of the floors, preserved. Where restoration was not possible, spaces were reinterpreted with a contemporary architectural language that enhances the exhibition function, creating a flexible and welcoming environment.
One of the most innovative elements of the project is the glass staircase. Technically advanced and transparent, the staircase echoes the pre-existing geometries while being reimagined through the use of glass and steel, bringing lightness to the spaces and creating a dialogue between the original materials and newly introduced ones. Concrete floors alternate with Palladian and Portoro floors, while white walls highlight the artwork on display. An adaptive lighting system allows light to be modulated according to the needs of the exhibitions, enhancing the visitor experience.
The Bridge, in Perfect Harmony with the Venetian Aesthetic
A key element of the restoration is the bridge that connects Casa Sanlorenzo to the surrounding area. Also designed by Lissoni & Partners, it is not just an architecture of passage, but an ideal bridge with a profound cultural function. Its contemporary structure, inspired by the pre-existing one, is designed to be sophisticated and technological while maintaining a strong connection to Venetian history. “I believe that the opportunity to build a bridge in Venice for Sanlorenzo Arts is more unique than rare. The bridge is, in fact, an incredibly complex architectural staircase, and to me, it also embodies a range of other meanings.” explained Piero Lissoni, Art Director Sanlorenzo. “Besides connecting two different points, the bridge connects different worlds. It is no coincidence that the expressions ‘creating cultural bridges’ and ‘making human bridges’ are used. This bridge for me is not simply a vehicle to transport people, but a cultural bridge, an ideal bridge.”
Made entirely of prefabricated metal and already assembled, the bridge features a surface of Istrian stone, typical of the lagoon city, and a wooden handrail crafted to resemble an oar, to highlight the connection with the water. Its “humpback” shape is reminiscent of medieval bridges, while the metal arch expresses a simple, linear aesthetic. Technologically advanced, the bridge uses calendering for the metal part, with steps in classical Venetian masegni made of Istrian stone, treated to prevent slipping. The metal has been protected against local weathering elements while maintaining a refined aesthetic.
Casa Sanlorenzo as a Hub for Sustainability and Dialogue
Complementing its cultural mission, Casa Sanlorenzo serves as a pivotal venue during the first edition of Venice Climate Week (June 3 – 8, 2025), where Sanlorenzo reaffirms its commitment to a more sustainable future as the Main Partner. This new Italian event, conceived and directed by Riccardo Luna in collaboration with the Future Food Institute, celebrates World Environment Day and World Oceans Day, fostering dialogue on climate change, sustainability, and regenerative economic models among institutions, citizens, businesses, activists, scientists, and artists.
Sanlorenzo’s participation stems from a clear vision: to make yachting increasingly environmentally friendly through concrete actions and cutting-edge technologies. Among these is the innovative project for the development of the first green methanol bi-fuel propulsion system, which by 2027 will lead to the launch of the 50X-Space, superyacht capable of reducing navigation emissions by up to 70%. This project is part of Sanlorenzo’s “Road to 2030” strategy, during which the shipyard has already taken significant steps towards sustainability with the launch of two revolutionary models: 50Steel, the world’s first superyacht equipped with a Fuel Cell system fueled by hydrogen reformed directly on board from green methanol to generate electricity, used to power the hotellerie services, showcased on the opening day of the event, and Bluegame’s BGH-HSV (Hydrogen Support Vessel), the first chase boat powered exclusively by hydrogen, achieving zero emissions.
During Venice Climate Week, Casa Sanlorenzo hosts the ‘Sanlorenzo Talks’ from June 4 to 6, a series of meetings and conversations focused on ecological transition and sustainable innovation, featuring prominent stakeholders from the scientific, cultural, and industrial fields. The event will host around 100 national and international speakers, including Massimo Perotti, Executive Chairman Sanlorenzo, on June 4, who commented: “Being a partner in the first edition of Venice Climate Week is an important step for us, consistent with the industrial vision we are pursuing: an innovation that puts sustainability at the center. With the 50Steel and the BGH-HSV projects, launched in 2024, and 50X-Space planned for 2027 with bi-fuel propulsion, we have taken and continue to take decisive steps towards the goal of a zero-emission yacht. We want to share this journey with those who, like us, believe that the future of yachting should be more conscious, technological and environmentally respectful”.
Sanlorenzo’s involvement in Venice Climate Week complements its participation in the Venice Boat Show, from May 30 to June 2, where the 50Steel will be showcased, underscoring its tangible move towards more conscious yachting. For Sanlorenzo, sustainability is not just a statement of intent but a concrete industrial strategy, integrated at every level of production, from design to technological innovation, to the selection of collaborations and supported events. Venice Climate Week is thus the natural setting for sharing this vision and contributing to the global debate on the planet’s future.
A New Route for the Contemporary
This project marks the beginning of an ambitious journey in which art and sustainability become engines of collective reflection on the present and the future. Casa Sanlorenzo, with its blend of historical reverence and forward-thinking vision, guided by Sanlorenzo’s passion and commitment, sets a new route for the contemporary in the heart of Venice.
For more information on Sanlorenzo’s sustainability efforts, please get in touch with us at sanlorenzo@simpsonmarine.com