Ando's Concrete Box Inside a Venetian Customs House

At a Glance

Punta della Dogana sits at the triangular tip of Venice's Dorsoduro, a 17th-century customs house reopened as a contemporary art museum in 2009. It shows the Pinault Collection alongside Palazzo Grassi.

Customs House to Contemporary Art

François Pinault (Kering founder) hired Tadao Ando to insert smooth concrete volumes inside the brick walls and wooden trusses, preserving the historic shell entirely.

Highlights

• Rotating shows from Pinault's ~5,000-piece collection.
• Ando's concrete insertion as architectural work.
• Glass tip with views of San Marco and Santa Maria della Salute.
• Exposed 17th-century timber trusses.
• Key Biennale off-site venue.

Visiting Tips

Vaporetto 1 to Salute. €15 (€20 combined with Palazzo Grassi). 2 hours. Closed Tuesdays. Pair with Peggy Guggenheim and Gallerie dell'Accademia.