Image source: Cassina — Rialto Bookcase
© Cassina and the respective rights holders. Quoted to accompany INTEBEE's independent design commentary and research.
Rialto Bookcase
Rialto Bookcase: Carlo Scarpa's modular units linked by a spacer insert, reworked for Dino Gavina.
1974
Official product information
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Overview
The Rialto Bookcase was realised in the 1970s by Carlo Scarpa for his own home and later reworked at the request of Dino Gavina for industrial manufacture. Its individual units are linked by a spacer insert, and a central block holds shelves or small drawers.
Construction
- Sides and tops: 20 mm wooden agglomerate, veneered and edged, or painted matt.
- Central block: shelves or small drawers with a matt finish.
- Finishes: ash veneer, natural or black stained, or fully matt lacquered.
Specifications
- 55 and 249 cm (single unit W10 01; axes not labelled on the drawing, depth not printed).
Story
A bookcase for Scarpa's own home
Cassina says the Rialto was realised in the 1970s by Carlo Scarpa for his own home. Dino Gavina later asked for it to be reworked so that it could be manufactured industrially.
The spacer insert
The units are linked by a spacer insert, which Cassina calls the iconic feature of the design. The central block of shelves or small drawers is described as almost as distinctive.
More by Carlo Scarpa
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Doge Table
Doge Table: Carlo Scarpa's 1968 sculpture-like table with metal base and glass or marble top.
Cornaro Sofa
Cornaro Sofa: Carlo Scarpa's 1973 design with padded elements set in a sculptural wooden structure.