A three-story block, located near the Basilica della Salute in Venice, housed the home of the renowned Venetian art historian, Michelangelo Muraro. At the owner’s behest, the building, together with all of its precious archives, was donated to Columbia University in New York, which provided for the restoration of the property. The goal was to create a study and research center for scholars and to ensure the usability of the bequest.

The exterior elevations and the roof had already been restored in the past, so the work involved only the interior. In particular, the spiral staircase designed by Carlo Scarpa, who was a friend and frequent guest of Prof. Muraro, was protected. The distribution of spaces on the upper floors was not substantially altered, thus maintaining the appearance of a Venetian home or “casa.” The original interior doors and handles have been restored, while the new window frames have been repurposed with the same type of profile and color, recovering the existing hardware. The Venetian terrazzo was restored and integrated. Carlo Scarpa’s “salt & pepper” marmorino plaster, where still present, was also carefully restored, and this material was reused in other rooms to give continuity to the different spaces.

The most significant works were carried out on the ground floor. All of the interior partitions that over the years had divided the space into small rooms used for storage were removed, and a small multifunctional hall was built. This space will be used to host conferences, lectures and small exhibitions. A renovated bathroom area, adapted to such needs, and the elimination of architectural barriers, ensures accessibility.

In summary, it can be said that the project provided for the preservation of all the characteristic elements of the original rooms and the enhancement of them and the various rooms according to the new uses for which the building is intended. Therefore, the design was important in addition to the implementation of the mechanical and electrical systems with all the safety elements and the necessary structural consolidations.