Architect and Designer (Venice, 1939)
After studying classical art and music, Alessandro Lenarda graduated in architecture at the University of Venice, where he had the opportunity of learning from eminent professors such as Bruno Zevi, Giancarlo De Carlo, Giuseppe Samonà, Mario De Luigi, Carlo Scarpa, Franco Albini, Ludovico Belgioioso and Ignazio Gardella. Alessandro Lenarda focuses primarily on interior architecture and design, particularly glass technology. Additionally, he organises research seminars at the School of Architecture for the subjects of Materials Technology, Architectural Design & Surveys and Ergonomics. His work has been included in the Historical Archives of Contemporary Arts (Archivio Storico delle Arti Contemporanee – ASAC) of the Venice Biennial International Art Exhibition since 1964. Works by Alessandro Lenarda were exhibited at the Venice Biennial International Art Exhibitions of 1964, 1966, 1970 and 1972, and the Centenary Exhibition of 1995. In 1991, he was shortlisted for the Golden Compass Award for a complete restaurant kitchen set and a pair of Murano glass vases. In 1994, he received an Honourable Mention at the 17th edition of the Golden Compass Awards for his “Mistral” riding saddle. His work was the subject of a doctoral thesis at the School of Letters – Contemporary Art History – of the La Sapienza University of Rome, in 2001. A monograph entitled “Alessandro Lenarda in Murano” was published by Antonio Zoppas Editore in 1995. Alessandro Lenarda has been an Ordinary Member of the Tiberian Academy of Rome since 1976. He was also a founding member of the Venice Avogaria Theatre Association, having designed several sets for the theatre. Alessandro Lenarda worked as a consultant for Alutekna Spa, in Marghera, Venice, concerning the industrial applications of the Honeycomb. In 1981, Alessandro Lenarda designed a Lexan enclosure to protect the relics of Saint Lucia (San Geremia church in Venice). In 1990, he designed a glass set named “Concert for Two Violins” by occasion of the 1st International Vivaldi Festival. In 1993, Alessandro Lenarda designed a protective enclosure for Tartini’s violin (Tartini Museum, in Pirano). In 1994, he designed the lamps that illuminate the Ferro Fini Palace, the headquarters of the Regional Council of Veneto. In 1996, Alessandro Lenarda organised a Glass Technology & Project Methodology Course at the Higher Design Institute of Padua. Some of his works are included in museum collections in Venice, Altare, Munich, London, New York, Pirano and Milan. Some of his works are included in the Golden Compass Historical Archives and have been declared “works of exceptional artistic and historical significance”. A Ministerial Order declared these works part of the “Cultural Heritage of Italy”. Some works created by Alessandro Lenarda for Metalco S.p.A. and Voltolina were included in the Farnesina Design Collection, exhibited at the Foreign Office, in Rome (2009). In 2010, some of his works became part of the MAGMA Museum collection. In 2011, some of his works became part of collections exhibited at the Holon Design Museum (Tel Aviv) and the Modern Art Gallery of Rome. Awards and Distinctions 1965 – Was awarded the second prize for young designers by the Bevilacqua La Masa Foundation of Venice. 1966 – Was awarded the first prize for young designers by the Bevilacqua La Masa Foundation of Venice. 1971 – Won the ENAPI Award with “Sardanapalus” (hanger designed for C2 of Vicenza – currently Cattelan Italia) 1971 – Won the gold medal at the Monza International Exhibition. 1985 – Won the second prize at the Parsol Rosaline competition organised by Saint Gobain. 1991 – Received an Honourable Mention at the Golden Compass Awards for two of his works (“The Gyroscopes”, glass vases; and “Series 900”, a restaurant kitchen set). 1992 – Shortlisted for the ADI/Tecnhotel Five Star Award. 1994 – Received an Honourable Mention at the Golden Compass Awards for his “Mistral” riding saddle. 2001 – Was part of a delegation of Italian designers invited to visit Hong Kong by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. 2005 – Was selected by the ADI Centre Territorial Observatory. 2005 – His “Gyroscopes” (two glass vases already shortlisted for the 1991 Golden Compass Awards) were exhibited at the Aichi Expo, in Japan, to represent Italian design in the last 50 years. Works by Alessandro Lenarda are included in the collections of several museums worldwide, as well as the Farnesina Design Collection, in Rome, and the ADI Collection, in Milan. Partnerships Lumenform, Carlo Moretti, Mario Sabot, La Murrina, Arnoldo Mondadori Editore, Zevi, Cidue, Elco Bellato, Ampatoys, Kinder Ferrero, Ceccon Bambole, Junghans, Veart, La Filigrana, Thema, Punto Luce, Orsogrill, Alucasa, Cenedese e Albarelli, Vetreria Etrusca, Nason e Moretti, Aureliano Toso, Elite Glass of Murano, Aprilia, Lux, Asfour Crystal, Azzurra, Atlantis-Cristais de Alcobaça, Antica Murrina Venezia, Fabbri Editori, Genesi International Srl, Cattelan Italia, Cristallerie Livellara, Fime di Vetro, Gruppo Treesse. Nowadays, Alessandro Lenarda works in partnership with Metalco Spa, in Castelminio di Resana (TV); Voltolina, in Martellago (VE); Valdama, in Civita Castellana (VT); Selene Illuminazione, in Marcon (VE); Vetreria Resanse, in Castel Franco (TV); Stillhaus, in Viterbo; and Mastrofiore, in Civita Castellana (VT).
