In Mestre, Venice’s mainland district, Sauerbruch Hutton have created a striking new cultural landmark. Completed in 2018, the M9 Museum of the 20th Century reactivates a neglected urban site, transforming it into a vibrant civic space. The project includes not only the museum, but also a multimedia library, offices, shops, and a plaza—forming an ensemble that bridges past and present.
Address/Directions
Museo M9 Mestre
Via Giovanni Pascoli, 11
30171 Venezia VE
Directions
“The new buildings respond to the rhythm of the old. We see architecture as a sequence of public spaces—and in Mestre, we wanted to give people their city back.”
Located just steps from Mestre’s main square, the M9 Museum sits within a former convent complex. Sauerbruch Hutton’s intervention carefully integrates new and historic elements, preserving the site’s identity while injecting contemporary energy. The museum itself occupies a dynamic volume of interlocking angular forms, clad in glazed ceramic tiles in red, white, and gray—a nod to Venetian tradition, reinterpreted through modern craft.
The museum’s complex form and variegated skin reflect its curatorial ambition: to present the 20th century as a mosaic of overlapping histories. The building connects to a newly created pedestrian axis that links to downtown. At its heart is a public courtyard that acts as both forecourt and gathering place.
The museum’s shimmering ceramic façade is more than decorative—it provides solar protection, reflects daylight deep into the plaza, and echoes the material tactility of its urban surroundings. Each tile was custom-made, creating subtle irregularities that enliven the surface. Inside, the galleries are organized around a central stairwell, with exhibition spaces spanning over 2,500 square meters.
The building is part of a larger sustainability strategy: photovoltaic panels, geothermal energy, and high-efficiency systems contribute to M9’s status as one of Italy’s most energy-efficient museums. The architecture demonstrates that cultural buildings can be both expressive and ecologically responsible.
To complement the material richness of the project, Sauerbruch Hutton selected FSB 1230. The stainless steel lever—reduced, angular, and finely detailed—echoes the geometry of the building’s façade. Its satin finish provides a subtle counterpoint to the vibrant ceramics, while offering a tactile experience rooted in craftsmanship.
Used throughout doors and windows, the handle becomes a connecting element between exhibition, administration, and public space. Quiet in appearance but deliberate in form, it reflects the project’s core values: clarity, respect for context, and design integrity.
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