IDID11: Dune Part Two, Imperial Planet, Kaitain
On set of Denis Villeneuve’s, Dune Part 2 + IDID on TikTok.
In this IDID — [I]nter [D]esign [Id]entification — we’re taking a look at a location used in Denis Villeneuve’s, Dune Part 2. It’s not entirely a spoiler, but your discretion is advised if you wish to continue reading. It’s the setting of the Imperial planet, Kaitain. And if those words don’t mean anything to you, it’s one of the scenes with Florence Pugh and Charlotte Rampling.
‘Dune: Part Two’ screenshot.
Brion Tomb in Altivole, Italy.
Designed by Venetian architect Carlo Scarpa, 1968–1978.
Dune Part Two producer Tanya Lapointe says it’s the first time a film has been allowed to shoot there. The Brion family happened to have read “Dune” by Frank Herbert, and had loved the film directed by Denis Villeneuve, which is how they were allowed film within this location.1
It had been previously rejected for location of Star Wars.
A curved concrete roof encasing the sarcophagi of Giuseppe and Onorina Brion.
This structure is the final resting place for the industrialist Giuseppe Brion. Commissioned by his wife, Onorina, and their son Ennio. It’s a 2000m2 L-shape extension to a public cemetery.
Scarpa himself is buried adjacent to the Brion Sanctuary.
View through hall to meditation / viewing pavilion. Image by Filippo Poli.
The memorial is a collection of concrete pavilions set within a garden. A curved concrete roof encasing the sarcophagi of Giuseppe and Onorina Brion, a small chapel, 2 entrances for funeral processions, a cemetery for priests, a private meditation/viewing pavilion, and the "viewing device" of the pavilion of meditation — the vesica piscis.
Vesica Piscis. Image by Filippo Poli.
The design is drenched in Venetian influences such as gold glints, tiling familiar of Byzantine mosaics and Japanese influences such as the tea-room inspiration of the chapel.
Chapel on the left. Image by Filippo Poli.
Scarpa has been quoted as saying "I like water very much, perhaps because I am Venetian” which is v present in this structure.
Not licensed to practice architecture, Scarpa often collaborated on architectural projects with former students from the University of Architecture in Venice. One of the most knowledgeable of these collaborators, Guido Pietropoli, assisted in the 2021 conservation of Brion Tomb.
Carlo Scarpa died at age 72. It is unknown if further design for the Brion Tomb was to ensue, although a cobblestone ramp running north–south that ends abruptly has raised questions. It’s been quoted that when Pietropoli has been asked about it, he’s said “I’ve never been able to figure that out.”2
TikTok
IDID is also now on TikTok. You can check it and my face out here. So far we’ve looked at Jacquemus Le Sculptures show early this year and revisited The Row’s LA Boutique.
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https://www.cntraveler.com/story/on-location-dune-part-two
https://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/15486-carlo-scarpas-brion-memorial-restored-by-studio-pietropoli