Architecture meets beauty and local culture
In mid-July, we had the pleasure of welcoming an extraordinary community of Italian and international architects to our region for a special edition of Oikos Experience. A four-day journey designed not only to open the doors to our workplaces and production facilities, but to share with our guests the cultural, artistic, and landscape roots that daily inspire and nourish our vision of entrance architecture.
An immersive experience that culminated in the magic and tradition of the Feast of the Redeemer (Festa del Redentore) in Venice, where the charm of the Lagoon framed the deep value of human relationships and design culture.
From matter to art: Oikos “arsenalità” and the journey into the hinterland
The journey began at the heart of Oikos, between the spaces of the Atelier and the Arsenale in Gruaro. Here, architects experienced our “arsenalità” firsthand: that virtuous union of advanced engineering, master craftsmanship, and tailored care with which we craft every single door, discovering up close the place where raw matter takes shape and becomes architecture.
Yet the Oikos identity thrives on an unbreakable bond with the history and art of its region. The journey thus continued into the Venetian hinterland, exploring iconic landmarks of creativity and craftsmanship:
- Memory and landscape: a guided tour of the Brion Memorial in San Vito d’Altivole, a masterpiece and iconic work by Carlo Scarpa, where architecture poetically dialogues with water, light, and time.
- The culture of detail and print: an exploration of Tipoteca Italiana in Cornuda, a typographic design museum, where a passion for formal composition mirrors the quest for precision and character we dedicate to every project.
- Sculpture and light: an evocative night visit to the Canova Gypsotheca in Possagno, an inspiring immersion among Antonio Canova’s plaster casts and sculptures, viewed solely by lantern light.
The Lagoon, glass craftsmanship, and the Redeemer night
The second phase of the experience moved across the waters and colors of the Venetian Lagoon. From the colorful streets of Burano to Murano, architects witnessed the fascination of glassblowing live alongside master glassmakers, before sharing a gala dinner in the extraordinary setting of The Glass Cathedral.
The evening of Saturday, July 18, concluded while sailing towards St. Mark’s Basin. Together with the Venetian community and festive boats, our guests experienced the enchanting atmosphere of the Feast of the Redeemer—the city’s oldest and most deeply felt tradition, celebrating memory and life for over five centuries—watching the fireworks display light up the night over the Lagoon.
Building community through shared beauty
For us at Oikos, the Oikos Experience embodies the desire to network and build community through shared beauty. Experiencing these moments together—from Scarpa’s architecture to Canova’s masterpieces, from Murano’s glassmaking artistry to the lights of the Redeemer—strengthens professional and human connections destined to last over time.
We thank all the professionals who participated in these days, bringing their enthusiasm and enriching our shared vision.
