Social housing buildings on Giudecca

Aldo Rossi was an Italian architect and designer who was also an educator, theorist, and critic of architecture. He is considered one of the founders of rationalism in architecture. For his designs, he sought inspiration from traditional realizations. In his buildings, he used simple geometric and symmetrical forms. Rossi was, alongside Paolo Portoghesi, one of the two main curators who led the Venice Biennale twice (1985, 1986).
The project for the redevelopment of Campo di Marte for social housing in Venice in a former industrial area dates back to 1983. At that time, the IACP (Istituto autonomo per le case popolari della provincia di Venezia - Autonomous Institute for Public Housing in the Province of Venice), together with the city of Venice, initiated a social housing project in the eastern part of the Giudecca Island. The design by the Portuguese architect Álvaro Siza won an international competition, in which he invited Carlo Aymonino, Aldo Rossi, and Rafael Moneo to design individual buildings. In the first phase, buildings by Aymonino and Rossi were completed.
Aymonino’s house is in the shape of an H, has four floors, and is accessible via two entrances, two staircases, and two elevators. Transparent pyramid-shaped roofs allow light into the public spaces (corridors, staircases). Rossi’s building corresponds to an inverted U shape, with four floors and an attic, the roofing of both buildings is arched, made of rounded metal sheets. Terraces connect the two buildings. Inside, the apartments are spatially divided into 45, 66, and 95 m², including two apartments for persons with disabilities. Each space is adapted for individuals with limited mobility.
The third phase, which was realized only partially, comes from the Portuguese architect Álvaro Siza. It is characterized by simple typical Venetian windows and a balcony. In the next phase, Moneo’s house with nineteen apartments should be added.