ZAAF architetti

Architecture practice · Venice

Building within the built, with measure.

Restoration, adaptive reuse of existing buildings and new construction. We design for private clients and public administration, from concept to works direction.

Restoration Adaptive reuse New construction Works direction

01 Practice

An architecture able to integrate with the built environment.

ZAAF architetti is a Venice-based architecture practice founded by architects Andrea Zanchettin and Arianna Fornasiero. It grows out of a working partnership begun in 2021, merging the experiences of Tag Architects and Beegroup Architects, and operates for private clients and public administration.

At the core of the practice is designing within the existing: the restoration and adaptive reuse of built heritage, from listed monuments to ordinary buildings awaiting regeneration, alongside new construction in Italy and abroad. Every commission is followed with continuity, from survey and dialogue with heritage authorities through to the construction site.

02 Fields

What we do.

  • Restoration & heritage

    Work on historic and listed buildings, from critical survey to conservation design, in dialogue with heritage authorities.

  • Adaptive reuse

    New life for existing buildings: refunctionalisation of historic, industrial and residential complexes.

  • New construction

    Design of residential and hospitality buildings, in Italy and abroad, attentive to context and resources.

  • Works direction

    Works direction and site assistance, coordination of multidisciplinary design teams, measurements and accounting.

  • Public commissions

    Feasibility, detailed and executive design for public bodies, including NRRP programmes and Major Cultural Heritage Projects.

  • Interiors & exhibitions

    Renovation of residential and commercial units, exhibition design and bespoke projects.

03 Founders

Two paths, one method.

Andrea Zanchettin

Architect · co-founder

He graduated with honours in Architecture from IUAV Venice and has been a registered architect since 2001. With over twenty years of experience in complex design, trained between Venice, Barcelona and Lisbon, he has built a profile devoted to heritage recovery: project manager for the restoration of the Cima Grappa Memorial and the post-earthquake reconstruction plan of Onna, then OG2 Technical Director of the conservation firm Ducale Restauro.

As designer and works director he has worked on Venetian heritage including the restoration of the façades of the Doge's Palace and the new Historical Archive of Contemporary Arts (ASAC) of La Biennale di Venezia at the Arsenale, alongside numerous public commissions for the City of Venice. His work has been published in Casabella.

Arianna Fornasiero

Architect · co-founder

She graduated with honours from IUAV Venice and obtained her Master of Science in Architecture from TU Delft with the highest distinction. Her thesis Rhizome was a finalist for the Young Talent Architecture Award of the Fundació Mies van der Rohe, received an honourable mention at Archiprix Nederland and was exhibited at the 16th Venice Architecture Biennale.

After working in the Netherlands with Mecanoo Architecten, since 2018 she has practised across design, restoration and the enhancement of built heritage; since 2023 she has collaborated with Torsello Architettura on the restoration of the ASAC of La Biennale di Venezia. She combines practice with teaching at IUAV Venice and the University of Ferrara, where she is Subject Expert in Architectural and Urban Design.

04 Contact

Let's talk about your project.

Venice, Italy