vicenza exhibition displays the work of david chipperfield architects

a major exhibition of recent and ongoing work by david chipperfield architects has opened its doors to the public in the italian city of vicenza. from now until september 2, 2018, around 20 projects by the british architect’s london, berlin, milan, and shanghai offices are on view at the basilica palladiana — a significant renaissance building, which was designed by andrea palladio. the display marks the return of contemporary architecture exhibitions to the venue’s salone superiore which was closed for extensive restoration 12 years ago.

exposing the range of activities that take place within a contemporary architecture studio, the show’s material varies from rough sketches and models, to detail design and construction drawings — artifacts that clearly indicate the development of each scheme. meanwhile, photographs and films of recently completed work are also displayed. as an official media partner of the exhibition, designboom spoke with david chipperfield who gave us exclusive insight on the exhibition and the projects presented.

the first space presents some of DCA’s best-known works
image © designboom

‘we hope to expose in a more open manner, not a glossy presentation of an overview of our work, but a more open explanation of the work of the architect,’ david chipperfield explains to designboom. ‘the development of ideas is not consistent from project to project. every process is subject to different possibilities and limits. some projects develop intensely through a concentrated process of competition while others evolve through changes in circumstances and demands. some are elaborated through sketches and modifications and some evolve through a more mechanical process of revision and the examination of alternatives.’

the hepworth wakefield | see designboom’s coverage of the project here
image © designboom

developed by the respective design teams in the UK, germany, italy, and china, the presentation for each project demonstrates a profound desire to address cultural, professional, and intellectual challenges. although the first part of the display provides an introductory overview of key buildings completed since the practice was founded in 1985, the majority of the exhibition focuses on active projects that are presented in a variety of different ways.

museo jumex, mexico | see designboom’s coverage of the project here
image © designboom

‘we have tried to give more insight into the process of design, showing it not as an act of individual genius, but as a collaborative and iterative method that is messy and unpredictable,’ chipperfield continues. ‘a process which seeks to find ideas through a deeper understanding of place and purpose, rather than the imposition of ideas that confirm the formal prejudices of the architect, the client or even public opinion.’

amorepacific headquarters, seoul | see designboom’s coverage of the project here
image © designboom

the projects on view range from the royal academy of arts masterplan, now complete, to the neue nationalgalerie restoration in berlin, and the firm’s store concepts for valentino. others on display include a new music venue planned for edinburgh; james simon galerie, berlin; amorepacific headquarters, seoul; west bund art museum, shanghai; brioni store concept; kunsthaus zürich; inagawa cemetery chapel and visitor centre, japan; hoxton press residential development, london; zhejiang museum of natural history; lah contemporary, bled; private house, zurich; cavea arcari performance space, zovencedo; SSENSE, montréal; and fundacion RIA research project, galicia.

royal academy of arts masterplan, london | see designboom’s coverage of the project here
image © designboom

‘david chipperfield architects works 2018’ remains on view at vicenza’s basilica palladiana until september 2, 2018. watch david chipperfield’s lecture at the exhibition’s opening as part of our previous coverage, and see designboom’s full archive of work by the british architect here.

royal academy of arts masterplan, london
image © designboom