After a period spent in the office of Professor Guido Cirilli, Scarpa began teaching at Venice’s Istituto Universitario di Architettura where he remained on the faculty through 1976, acting as director from 1972 to 1974. In 1948, with the design of a Paul Klee exhibition, Scarpa began a long collaboration with the Venice Biennale. His sensitivity to works of art and unique ability to transform spaces using highly original materials, chromatic relationships, and lighting effects made him a master of exhibition design. Scarpa was awarded the Olivetti Prize in 1956 in recognition of his achievements in this field.