Ticket Office and Entrance Canopies for La Biennale di Venezia

Steelwork contractor: Somfer

Design: H&A Associati – Special Projects Office of La Biennale di Venezia

Within the sensitive setting of the Giardini della Biennale in Venice, characterised by logistical constraints, limited space and tight deadlines, Manni Sipre supported the construction of the steel structures for the new ticket office and entrance canopies. The company supplied pre-processed steel components, cut to size and drilled according to the project specifications, helping to streamline fabrication activities in the workshop and assembly operations on site.

The works involved the construction of the load-bearing structures and architectural elements for the new entrances to the Giardini della Biennale, in the Sant’Elena area.

The project included the construction of a new ticket office and a system of canopies on the site previously occupied by a greenhouse, creating a space that combines functionality, architectural quality and enhancement of the entrance area.

The main steel structures included:

• a galvanised steel canopy approximately 16 metres long and 2.70 metres wide;
• a ticket office structure extending for approximately 29 metres and built against the existing masonry;
• additional structural and architectural components required to complete the project.

The use of steel made it possible to meet both structural and architectural requirements, providing strength and durability through elements characterised by a visually lightweight profile consistent with the overall design.

The main challenge was associated with the location of the construction site.

Working in Venice involved significant constraints concerning the transportation and handling of materials, the availability of space and the use of lifting equipment. In addition, the new structures had to be connected to particularly delicate existing masonry without allowing the works to compromise its stability.

The beams and other structural elements were therefore designed and sized from the earliest stages by taking into account the transportation, handling and installation methods that would actually be available on site.

The logistical complexity was compounded by an extremely demanding schedule. Surveys and design activities were concentrated during the winter months, workshop fabrication began in mid-January, and installation was completed in approximately one month, in time for the opening of the event.

During this phase, several different activities had to be coordinated, including:

• installation of the structural steelwork;
• construction of the building envelope and installation of doors and windows;
• installation of suspended ceilings;
• completion of the roofing and sheet-metal works.

Meeting the delivery deadline required detailed planning and continuous coordination between the designers, main contractor, construction supervisor, steelwork contractor and suppliers.

For the client, the choice of supplier was primarily guided by two factors: the ability to meet the required schedule and the quality of the service provided.

Manni Sipre supplied approximately 14 tonnes of steel for the project, including beams cut to size and drilled, tubes and angle sections.

The availability of pre-processed components enabled Somfer to reduce preliminary steel preparation activities and focus its resources on producing the other components required for the project.

While the structural components were being prepared and delivered by Manni Sipre, the workshop was able to carry out the remaining fabrication activities in parallel. This approach contributed to a more continuous production process and helped optimise the overall organisation of the work.

Although the required components did not feature particularly complex geometries, they demanded a high level of execution accuracy and careful coordination between all the parties involved.

The technical solutions were defined jointly with the client, designers and construction supervisor, with the aim of identifying potential issues in advance and reducing the need for corrective work during installation.

As Somfer emphasised: “Good design means that half the work is already done.”

The structures were assembled and welded in the workshop before being transported to site, where they were connected using bolted joints.

The process included thorough inspections of the fabrication work. In particular, the welds were verified through magnetic particle testing, supported by dedicated technical supervision.

The structural steelwork was manufactured in accordance with EN 1090, Execution Class EXC3, ensuring compliance with the applicable requirements for factory production control and execution quality.

The availability of components cut and drilled according to the project specifications had a direct impact on site organisation.

The activities completed upstream made it possible to:

• reduce the amount of work required on site;
• limit the handling of materials and equipment;
• accelerate assembly operations;
• reduce the risk of rework;
• facilitate coordination between the different contractors involved.

While seemingly straightforward in design, the project presented considerable challenges in terms of coordination, the sensitive existing structures, logistical constraints, and a tightly defined deadline.

The project was successfully completed, both in terms of execution quality and compliance with the agreed schedule.

The collaboration with Manni Sipre therefore confirmed the value of a long-standing relationship based on reliability, service quality and the ability to support the client in projects characterised by significant technical, logistical and organisational constraints.