KE in the Heart of Venice. The Essential Custom Project for the Historic Headquarters of the Compagnia della Vela in San Marco

Where a squero, a typical Venetian shipyard, greenhouses, and the belvedere of the Royal Gardens once stood, the Compagnia della Vela headquarters in Venice now stands.

Project Name: Compagnia della Vela Headquarters

Location: San Marco, Venice

Design: PMO KE

Client: Compagnia della Vela

Covered Area: 35 sqm

Installed Products: Hydra – Special cantilever modules with a custom-made portal

Project Description:

Where a squero, a typical Venetian shipyard, greenhouses, and the belvedere of the Royal Gardens once stood, the Compagnia della Vela headquarters in Venice now stands. Since its founding in 1911, this prestigious institution has boasted illustrious members, including Gabriele D'Annunzio, who inspired the name "Compagnia della Vela" and the motto "Custodi Domine Vigilantes." Today, it has over 500 members, including yacht owners and enthusiasts from Venice, Italy, and abroad.

Since 1939, a neoclassical building has housed the historic headquarters of this Venetian institution, where beautiful terraces, an elegant lounge, and a restaurant host club activities in a unique and exclusive setting just steps away from Piazza San Marco.

Commissioned by the owners to refurbish the prestigious outdoor spaces overlooking the San Marco Basin, KE brought not only its design expertise and respect for the existing architecture and environmental context but also its deep connection to Venice. The project proposal was developed with great respect for the space and strict guidelines from the Venice Superintendent, which protects the building and surrounding landscape. The replacement had to perfectly match the previous awning and maintain the building's façade and harmony. This dialogue resulted in a completely tailor-made project, emphasizing the essential nature of the new structure.

This project was a challenge that KE undertook with skill and determination. After identifying the Hydra pergola awning as the best solution for this context, custom work was essential for two key elements: the brackets for wall-mounting the cassettes and the aluminum portal supporting the cantilever structures.

For the restaurant terrace dedicated to members, a further enhancement was implemented to allow an unobstructed view of the surroundings without posts between the various modules. The posts are only present at the structure's ends, thus further enhancing the construction's lightness and visual breadth.

Special attention was given to constructing the portal, which was made using aluminum profiles and custom-fabricated on-site to ensure maximum precision and customization. Perimeter enclosures will also be added to this portal in the future.

The Superintendent's strict guidelines also extended to the color of the structure and the covering fabric: both were kept white to preserve and maintain continuity with the existing setting.

The Hydra pergola awning is made of aluminum—a quintessential green material—and steel, a construction choice that ensures resistance to weather, wear, and salt. For a cleaner design, the Hydra structure is free of visible screws.

Ensuring sun protection and shelter to enjoy the altana of the Compagnia della Vela Headquarters with its unparalleled view of the San Marco Basin was made possible by the balance and essentiality of the KE pergola awning.

This completely custom project embodies the foundational values and capabilities of KE: Made in Italy, creativity, research, innovation, and attention to detail and client needs—crucial factors that distinguish the company’s Italian craftsmanship.

In this precise and careful intervention, in the heart of Venice, KE demonstrates its excellence as a partner in the most challenging custom projects related to historically significant artistic and architectural contexts.

Technical data sheets for the installed products are available upon request.