Interior reflective space at the Brion Family Cemetery
The Brion Family Cemetery by Carlo Scarpa is a beautiful cemetery complex located in Treviso, Italy. This cemetery includes both indoor and outdoor spaces that I had the privilege of visiting while studying abroad. To narrow down the entire complex, I am focusing on the room above for its complexity and beauty. Scarpa uses color, daylight, hierarchy, and small intricate details to make this a complex space to be in. Entering through the circular void acts as a threshold that is lined with colors of blue and gold. Depending on the time of day, the way the daylight enters the space creates a dynamic play between light and shadows. The ceiling is lower for the majority of the space, but transcends upward right above the altar, connecting you to the spirituality of the place. There are also little squares on the wall that can be opened up as a window view to the gardens and reflective water that surround.
While having the opportunity to spend an ample amount of time in the space, it was a very calming experience. Even though in the architecture itself there is a lot of intricacy, depth, and layers to the interior, Scarpa still manages to make this a quiet and reflective setting. I loved having the opportunity to spend time in here, because it allowed me to see small details that I may have missed before.
This room taught me that even in a smaller space, you can still create complex depth and hierarchy. It is important to create elements that capture your eye, and Scarpa did a beautiful job of doing that in the Brion Family Cemetery.
I have just heard of this place, but it has beautiful choices of texture and materials. It is a calming space indeed. It is prominent that these elements chosen were thoughtfully planned out and intricate. It is not just a functioning burial site but a work of art and symbolic spiritual meaning. This extended detail adds complexity to the already fantastic space. I have just heard of this place, but it has beautiful choices of texture and materials. It is a calming space indeed. It can also be seen to possess a combination of traditional yet modernist architectural elements, using light play and shadow and geometric forms. There’s also an incorporation of classical proportions that contribute to the complexity of the space as well.
This place is great! Initially, I anticipated the circle entrance to be somewhere located in Asia, particularly China. However, the details behind the entrance indicate somewhere else. Italy was probably one of the last places that I expected.
Despite the predominant use of grey throughout the space, the variations of tones added some noise to the space. Some details are in other colors or materiality which draws some attention to the space. The gradual opening above the altar reminds me of a general Gothic church ceiling (similar to the form of a triangle). It could be a reinterpretation of those styles in modern materiality.
The detailed account of the room’s features, including color, daylight, hierarchy, and small intricate details, offers a comprehensive understanding of the architectural elements employed by Scarpa. I like how you explain the sensory experience of entering the space through the circular void, emphasizing the interplay between light and shadows depending on the time of day. The mention of the lower ceiling throughout most of the space, transcending upward above the altar, adds to the reader’s understanding of the architectural dynamics. I agree of how the space feel very calm and serene.
Your description of the Brion Family Cemetery by Carlo Scarpa is genuinely inspiring! The way Scarpa plays with color, daylight, and intricate details to create a complex yet serene space is remarkable. Your insights into the room’s symbolism and the connection to spirituality add another layer of appreciation. It’s inspiring to see how Scarpa achieves such depth and hierarchy even in a smaller space. Thanks for sharing your experience – it makes me want to visit and explore these beautiful details myself!