Curated Off-Site Experience – Orsoni Furnace Tour & Venetian Food and Wine Networking (Midday Slot)

11:50 AM – Meeting Point & Start of the Visit

Participants will meet in front of the entrance to the Orsoni Venezia 1888 furnace to begin the guided tour. Participation is limited to 25 attendees per time slot.

12:00 – 1:30 PM – Orsoni Furnace Tour

Founded in 1888, the Orsoni Furnace represents a unique case in Venice where traditional craftsmanship directly informs contemporary architectural applications. Unlike other glassmaking facilities focused on blown glass production, Orsoni specializes in the creation of mosaic smalti and tesserae—materials that have defined some of the world’s most iconic façades, including Sagrada Familia, Sacré-Cœur, and Westminster Abbey.

The visit will explore the historic furnace—still operating with techniques rooted in Byzantine and Murano traditions—alongside its extraordinary Color Library, where thousands of shades are produced and catalogued. The tour highlights how centuries-old processes continue to evolve through innovation, bridging material research, architectural expression, and façade design.

2:00 – 3:30 PM – Venetian Networking Lunch

The program continues with a traditional Venetian networking lunch in a local restaurant, where participants will reconnect with fellow PBFD attendees from parallel off-site activities. The lunch features a curated selection of regional dishes paired with local wines, offering a guided food and wine experience that reflects the richness of Venetian culinary tradition.

End of Program: approx. 3:30 PM