The Atipografia 'Threshold and Treasure' Gallery by AMAA reimagines the role of galleries, using architecture to bridge art, history, and emotion.
Located in Arzignano, Italy, the project turns thresholds—both physical and conceptual—into moments of transformation, leading visitors through a carefully choreographed sequence of spaces that reveal art, landscape, and the layered history of the site.
The experience begins at the entrance: a concave, sculptural form that serves as both artwork and passage. This threshold creates a tactile, intimate moment, preparing visitors to leave the noise of the city behind. Beyond it lies a serene courtyard, the first of many discoveries.
The building’s layered past—as a barn, printing press, and now gallery—becomes visible as visitors move inward. A standout feature is the “black threshold,” a former concrete frame reimagined with matte black cladding. This minimal intervention sharpens focus on the textures and history of the surrounding architecture.
The path winds through spaces where old meets new: exposed walls reveal the building’s origins, while a raw concrete structure housing functional spaces like restrooms feels both contemporary and humble.
The journey culminates in a bright hall opening to a glass-and-steel enclosure. Here, the architecture frames a courtyard that feels like a hidden treasure. Inspired by Japanese gardens, it’s dotted with sculptures by Mattia Bosco, offering a moment of stillness and reflection.
A staircase links the Liberty-style main house, now a residence for artists, with a 20th-century annex. This subtle intervention highlights the passage of time, connecting past and present. At its peak lies another hidden garden, offering views of the historic Venetian skyline—a living tapestry of colors and textures that blends tradition with spontaneity.
Deeper within, a minimalist atelier welcomes artists into a calm, functional space. Sliding windows connect the studio to the outdoors, blurring boundaries between art and landscape. Warm wooden floors, salvaged from a Bornean kindergarten, bring a touch of humanity, grounding the space in memory and material.
