2025Both from Getty Images.Save this storySaveSave this storySaveEvery two years
the cultural exchange staffers at the State Department start the long journey that will end at the Venice Biennale’s United States Pavilion
the Palladian-style grand exhibition space in the middle of an art-filled garden in the city of canals
The event is often called the “Olympics of the Art World,” and appropriately
the Giardini is filled with a pavilion for each country
spaces for exhibiting the work of a single artist chosen to represent their nation that year
the Biennale is a competition: The best national pavilion is awarded the Golden Lion—past winners include Bruce Nauman
the grant has usually gone live about 18 months prior to the Biennale’s opening
the National Endowment for the Arts will post a federal notice saying that it will convene a panel of museum experts and arts scholars called the Federal Advisory Committee on International Exhibitions to oversee the applications
the artist and curators who submitted the winning proposal get word that they’ve been chosen
But a funny thing seemed to be happening with that timeline ahead of the 2026 edition of the Biennale
As a few sources have pointed out to me in recent days
with a scant 12 months to go until the exhibition
and transporting it from the US to Italy on a timeline that might diplomatically be described as compressed
Was Donald Trump’s State Department slow rolling the American entry
the idea of the chainsawed and DOGE-ified federal government endorsing contemporary art
even with a sum as relatively paltry as $375,000
a chance for the country to exert its international dominance
and we do know our 47th president sure loves him some blood sport
“I honestly think it might already be past the point of no return,” said Kathleen Ash-Milby, who co-commissioned the US Pavilion in 2024 and serves as the curator of Native American art at the Portland Art Museum. Just a year ago, during the invitation VIP opening week of the Biennale
Ash-Milby was standing alongside her cocurators
where Gibson’s large-scale sculptures spilled out from the building and into its large courtyard
and then they need a couple of months to process it,” she explained
“And if you don’t get notified until September or October
The US has programmed its pavilion during every two-year cycle
apart from the years leading up to World War II
when they were boycotting fascism in Italy
and then during the war years of 1942 and 1944
when the entire exhibition was cancelled due to the blood being shed in Europe
When I started reporting this column late last week
sources who had discussed the matter with current State Department employees said there appeared to be no movement in getting the application portal up and running
as well as current and past State Department employees
many questioned whether the US government might be intending to leave the pavilion entirely empty this round
joining the ranks of recent Venice abstentions
Russia has not had pavilions in the Giardini for the last two years due to the war in Ukraine
after its chosen artist refused to open her show until there was a ceasefire in Gaza and an agreement to release Israeli hostages
Fear started rippling through the museum world last February, when it became obvious that something was amiss in the State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, which still does not have an assistant secretary
who is usually the point person for coordinating the State’s Biennale pick
It’s typical for past commissioners to field inquiries from colleagues who are putting together proposals
the candidates all had the same question for Ash-Milby: How do we apply for this thing
announcing the State Department would allot $375,000 for the 2024 edition
“The Biennale is a unique opportunity to reach non-traditional and underserved audiences (e.g.
and the US Department of State has special interest in engaging these audiences through outreach activities associated with the exhibition.”
the meetings are typically announced in May of the year prior to the Biennale
and then actually go down the following month
The United States does have a pavilion up in the Giardini
as Joe Biden’s ECA funded it in January 2024
what if they opened the portal in May?’ that means they wouldn’t be notifying someone until October—and then you have to raise all the money and plan and get your reservations for all the different things
including shipping and storage and contractors and event spaces,” Ash-Milby said
“The timeline that we were on was so incredibly tight
So I can’t even imagine how anyone could do it faster than we were forced to do.”
the literal making of the exhibition also takes months
as shipping artwork to the loggia-filled Venetian islands is a nightmare unto itself
whom Trump fired as a speechwriter during his first term
after CNN revealed that Beattie spoke at a conference attended by white nationalists such as Richard Spencer and Peter Brimelow
Beattie had not responded to a request for comment for this story sent to the State Department.)
A State Department spokesperson told me that the agencies were going to discuss internally and get back to me
an NEA rep wrote to let me know the portal was now open
But before you fire up your grant-writing team
there’s some fine print you’ll want to inspect
The stipulations put forth by the ECA’s program statement do typically get an edit from edition to edition
the ECA has added language that was not previously included in program statements: The artist who shows in the US pavilion must “advance international understanding of American values by exposing foreign audiences to innovative and compelling works of art that reflect and promote American values.” The 2023 grant said applicants will be chosen based on four main criteria
including: “Support of Equity and Underserved Communities.” That is gone
replaced by: “Promotes American Values.” Where the 2023 program listed among its foreign policy goals
human rights,” we now have “fostering peaceful relations between the United States and other nations.”
Also new is the ominous-sounding “monitoring site visits,” which promises that the State Department will drop in from time to time to “gather additional information on the recipient’s ability to properly implement the project.”
Both versions ask that the pavilion be “non-political,” but the way in which the text was edited is telling
… programs must maintain a non-political character and should be representative of the diversity of American political
“Diversity” should be interpreted in the broadest sense and encompass differences
Applicants are strongly encouraged to adhere to the advancement of this principle both in program administration and in program content
…programs must maintain a non-political character and should be representative of the diplomacy of American political
The program spells out that any applicant must certify two things: “compliance in all respects with all applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws,” and
“does not operate any programs promoting Diversity
and Inclusion that violate any applicable anti-discrimination laws.”
the selection carries plenty of prestige and the prospect of a serious career boost
We’ll see how this all shakes out over the course of the next few months
Your crib sheet for the comings and goings in the art world this week and beyond…
…Meet the new boss
In an entirely predictable but ultimately reassuring development
Frieze was sold by Endeavor Holding Group to an investor consortium led by…Ari Emanuel
the Hollywood master-dealmaker and art collector who acquired the fair group for Endeavor in 2016
Sources indicate that his partners in the deal are the private equity unit RedBird Capital Partners and the asset manager Apollo
who were Emanuel’s partners in acquiring Endeavor’s tennis-related holdings earlier this year
is the price tag: $200 million is a lot to pay for an art fair group in 2025
even if it does include seven expos around the world and some potent media holdings
and fair directors are all full speed ahead
and last week the Frieze–owned Expo Chicago went down in the Windy City
I got a sneak peak at Paul Pfeiffer’s retrospective at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago from the artist himself
and went to a fabulous dinner at Theaster Gates’s studio—well
it’s just one of his South Side studios and this one was enormous—hosted by Gagosian’s Antwaun Sargent and Bottega Veneta
There were plenty of great shows around town
and the final exhibition put on by the legendary 90-year-old gallerist Rhona Hoffman
one of the country’s oldest contemporary art organizations
which went down at a helicopter hangar near the West Loop
with the sound of choppers permeating a blissfully warm night
who has run her gallery for nearly six decades
Museum director Lisa Phillips gave a heartfelt tribute before Laurie Anderson put on one of the most truly surreal
stunning performances you’ll ever see at a benefit dinner
It ended with the whole suit-wearing crowd doing Lou Reed’s tai chi routine
…We’ll fully dig into Frieze New York next week
but I was pleasantly surprised to see that Gagosian will be presenting a solo booth of work by Jeff Koons
who cut off his representation with Larry Gagosian and David Zwirner in 2021
seemed a little miffed that the world’s most expensive living artist was leaving them for one of their primary rivals
“It seems like a good fit.” But according to sources
the relationship with Pace cooled after a few years due to delays in the studio and cost overruns
(Pace did not immediately respond to a request for comment.) His one exhibition with the gallery was a one-work one-off at its small Palm Beach outfit that was only up for two weeks
Seems like the Jeff and Larry Show can proceed—in the booth next week will be three works from Koons’s Hulk Elvis series
Expect it to be the center of gravity when the fair opens Wednesday at the Shed
Have a tip? Drop me a line at nate_freeman@condenast.com. And make sure you subscribe to True Colors to receive Nate Freeman’s art-world dispatch in your inbox every week
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The Republic of Togo participates for the first time in the 19th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia in 2025 with an exhibition titled Considering Togo’s Architectural Heritage. The pavilion is commissioned by Sonia Lawson
Founding Director of Palais de Lomé
an architecture and research practice co-founded by Jeanne Autran-Edorh and Fabiola Büchele
The exhibition presents a detailed study of architectural developments in Togo from the early 20th century to the present, focusing on themes of conservation and transformation
It documents a range of building typologies and construction methods
establishing a comparative framework between traditional and modernist architectural practices
the exhibition aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the spatial and material evolution of the built environment in Togo
BIA Bank | all images by Wody Yawo unless stated otherwise
The curatorial focus includes vernacular structures such as the Nôk cave dwellings and the fortified clay houses known as Tatas Tamberma in northern Togo. Studio NEiDA’s design team also examines Afro-Brazilian architectural forms developed between the mid-1800s and mid-1900s by returnees from Brazil
The exhibition extends to post-independence modernist architecture
highlighting civic and commercial buildings such as the Hotel Sarakawa
The pavilion addresses the current condition of these architectural sites
contrasting deteriorated examples like the Hôtel de la Paix and the Bourse du Travail with buildings that have undergone recent restoration
including Hotel 2 Février and the Palais des Congrès
The exhibition positions these sites within ongoing discussions about architectural preservation and adaptation in West Africa
‘Togo’s architectural heritage
which spans ancient clay structures to complex histories and outlandish modernist experiments
is an incredible source of inspiration for our work
is a powerful guide for future architectural approaches that are contextual and climate compatible,’ comment Studio NEiDA’s designers on accepting the commission
‘I am delighted to commission the first Togolese Pavilion at the International Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia
It is a milestone to showcase Togo’s diverse architectural heritage to a large number of visitors from across the world
The Palais de Lomé is a landmark architectural venue in Togo
the institution’s program engages in a dialogue of contemporary issues relating to culture
I hope the pavilion furthers the conversations on the future and preservation of architectural heritage in West Africa.’ The Togo Pavilion is organised by the Ministry of Digital Economy and Digital Transformation of the Republic of Togo
The exhibition is designed in collaboration with Zuecca Projects
Hezdranawoe | image by Jeanne Autran-Edorh of StudioNEiDA
concept sketch – Squero Castello | image by Studio NEiDA
name: TOGO PAVILION: Considering Togo’s architectural heritage designer: Studio NEiDA | @studioneida
dates: May 10th – November 23rd
curation & exhibition design: Jeanne Autran-Edorh & Fabiola Büchele
promoter: Ministry of Digital Economy and Transformation of the Togolese Republic
organiser: Zuecca Projects Venice – Alessandro Possati, Maria Caterina Denora | @zuecca_project_space
sketches: Studio NEiDA Palais de Lomé team: Arséne Younang
Klaus Edzi exhibition photography: Wody Yawo
Pierre-Emmanuel Jean research & building texts: Sabrine Bako tailoring: Désiré Lissanon architecture interns: Rémy Kankpé
Luis Axel Soglohoun communication: Bomi Odufunade – Dash & Rallo Art Advisory special thanks: National Order of Architects in Togo (ONAT) and the African School of Architecture and Urbanism (Ecole Africaine des Métiers de l’Architecture et de l’Urbanisme – EAMAU)
designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.
edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom
AXOR presents three bathroom concepts that are not merely places of function
but destinations in themselves — sanctuaries of style
The Indians are out on the practice field for spring football and High School On SI Florida was able to visit Venice's Powell Davis Stadium
getting a sneak peek at the facility that's still under construction
“These renovations are going to provide a top-notch facility for all of our athletes
This project will allow us to have a stadium that matches up to our athletic programs and campus
We’re very excited about the outcome of what everything’s going to look like after construction.”
Among one of the best high school football stadiums in the state
Powell Davis was previously a natural grass surface and seated around 4,300 fans
The natural grass playing surface has been replaced by brand new artificial turf
which features the wood chips instead of rubber particles
now the facility will be able to seat closer to 5,000 patrons on Friday nights
Along with the additional seating that's being added
concession stands on both sides of the stadium and a resurfaced track are also included in the overhaul
The project has a price tag of $12-million and began in late December while Venice was on its way to winning its fourth state title in program history
Be sure to Bookmark High School on SI for all of the latest high school football news
To get live updates on your phone - as well as follow your favorite teams and top games - you can download the SBLive Sports app: Download iPhone App| Download Android App
-- Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @highschoolonsi
ANDY VILLAMARZOAndy Villamarzo has been a sports writer in the Tampa Bay (FL) Area since 2007
writing for publications such as Tampa Bay Times
FL area and started as a writer with SB Live Sports in the summer of 2022 covering the Tampa Bay Area
He has quickly become one of Florida's foremost authorities on high school sports
radio programs and digital broadcasts as an expert on team rankings
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The Sarasota County Commission is set to approve a $14 million contract to buy Camp Venice RV Resort, a 20.8-acre park on the west bank of the Myakka River just south of Snook Haven this week
Funding for the purchase would come from Sarasota County’s Environmentally Sensitive Land Protection Program.
Camp Venice has operated for the past four decades as a campground
both for recreational vehicles and tent camping
13 independently owned park model modular homes
boat ramp and a private wastewater treatment plant
24 to complete an evaluation and closing will be set within 30 days of when the seller
delivers written notice that the park models have been removed or until Feb
The seller can extend that date until March 31
if all the park models have not been removed
What will Sarasota County do with the site?Sarasota County has until Aug
Sarasota County will ultimately keep the campgrounds open for public use
it will decommission the wastewater treatment plant and hook the camp up to the county's water and sewer system
The overall startup project that the commission will be asked to approve includes about $2 million to connect the water and sewer and spruce the place up
The site includes about six acres of mesic hammock and riverine habitat along the Wild and Scenic Myakka River
Sarasota County owns several parcels along the Myakka River, including Snook Haven, the Sleeping Turtles Preserve to the north, the Jelks Preserve to the south, and the Deer Prairie Creek Preserve – which is opposite the Jelks Preserve – on the east side of the river
said via text that Sarasota County has stopped negotiations for a new vendor to operate Snook Haven
once the $8.8 million renovation of Snook Haven is complete
Sarasota County will seek to operate both Snook Haven and Camp Venice together and will issue a new request for proposals to operate the entire complex
Sarasota County has an overall strategic plan to increase access to waterfront land and promote ecotourism as well as nature-based experiences for school children
The item is set to come up as part of the commission's items set for routine collective approval on the May 6 agenda – though one of the five commissioners could also ask for specific discussion
What shapes the spaces we inhabit-and how do the questions we ask reveal what truly matters in a community
for an intimate conversation about curiosity
and the human stories behind every building
shares how his lifelong habit of asking unconventional questions led him to a career at the intersection of art
Antonia and Mark delve into the ways architecture reflects and shapes culture
the importance of honoring both the history and future of a place
and the transformative power of listening deeply to clients
questions can turn programming sessions into moments of real connection and even catharsis
especially in communities that have long felt unheard
• How formative childhood experiences and environments can spark a lifelong curiosity
• Why architecture is more than just buildings; it’s a social science rooted in empathy and context
and honest dialogue in uncovering what people truly need from their spaces
from glass classroom walls to communal music labs
can break down barriers and foster belonging
• The art of merging logic and creativity to create environments that change lives.Tune in for a candid
inspiring exploration of architecture as a practice of asking
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a rare violet artichoke is harvested by hand on Venice's northern islands – and locals go to great lengths to keep it authentic
The water glitters in the sunlight as Venetian farmer Guia Camerino steers her boat past the briccole
the wooden piles that mark invisible – to non-Venetians – lanes through the lagoon
Just a few kilometres north of Venice's warren of tourist-packed streets are the islands of Sant'Erasmo and Le Vignole
known as "the vegetable garden of Venice" for their lush
fertile ground – and for a rare flower that grows for only 10 days a year
Camerino is one of just four farmers on the island of Le Vignole
and she specialises in the carciofo violetto di Sant'Erasmo
a Venetian type of artichoke plant that produces a local delicacy known as a castraùra
The castraùre are the plant's first buds: small
tight and conical artichokes that are "castrated" off the plant – giving them their name – in order to allow the botoli
larger buds (and the kind you'd probably find on your plate the rest of the year)
Spring is a busy time of year for Camerino as the violet artichokes come into bloom and must be harvested during a short window of about two weeks
with each plant only producing one castraùra a year
"It's hard to describe the taste if you've never had it before," she explains
the belltowers of Venice visible on the horizon
"It's initially bitter but transforms into sweetness in the mouth
It's very versatile and easy to eat – not like a Roman artichoke that you have to peel and prepare laboriously
The castraùre are so tender that you can eat them raw."
The castraùre's rarity means that for years Venetian farmers have had to deal with counterfeit versions coming from elsewhere in Italy
The violet artichoke doesn't just grow in the Veneto – this species of plant is also grown in Tuscany
But any Venetian will tell you that a true Sant'Erasmo artichoke tastes nothing like its terraferma counterparts
That's because the islands are positioned at the lagoon's opening to the Adriatic
which makes the soil distinctively salty – a salinity that is tempered by rainwater
There's even a festival dedicated to the artichoke (usually on the second Sunday in May) when people travel from all over the lagoon to Sant'Erasmo to eat artichoke dishes
drink artichoke-based spritzes or digestifs and buy entire pallets of the vegetable to take home before the season ends
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It's not easy to coax the flower out of the plant. Everything is done by hand, with no pesticides, and in Venice there's the ever-present danger of an acqua alta (seasonal flooding) that could drown the fields
An artichoke is a perennial plant that has to be cut back every summer in order to grow imperceptibly during the winter months
Now climate change is causing the season to arrive earlier and earlier
"It's very worrying," says Camerino
"The plant needs nine months to slowly grow
But we harvested our first castraùra at the beginning of April this year
It's getting hotter earlier and earlier
and the plants won't have time to grow
It's very versatile and easy to eat – not like a Roman artichoke that you have to peel and prepare laboriously – Guia CamerinoBecause they're so delicate
the castraùre don't get exported far out of the lagoon and are usually harvested
Camerino sells directly to restaurants in Venice that "understand the quality" of the product
is that many restaurants in Venice have stopped buying real castraùre "because they're expensive and non-local customers can't tell the difference
So they use normal artichokes but pretend they're castraùre so they can hike up the prices."
• Plan a trip to Venice around mid-April to hit the height of the castraùre season
• Always ring ahead to see if restaurants are serving them
since it's so dependent on the harvest
• If you want to try preparing them at home
make sure you only buy artichokes with the consorzio's label – and don't be afraid to grill the seller about where they come from
don't worry; you can buy a jar of violet artichokes preserved in oil from Finotello's farm on Sant'Erasmo
• You can also get them in liquid form: the amaro digestif Venesian is made from Sant'Erasmo artichokes. Pick up a bottle to take home at the delicatessen Maramao
which sells local products from its canalside shop in the Cannaregio district
Al Covino
a Venice restaurant that focuses on local produce and traditional ingredients recognised by Italy's Slow Food presidium
makes a point of serving the castraùre when they come into season
It's a cosy space with pistachio-green roof beams
hidden on a small street in the city's Castello neighbourhood and run by husband-and-wife team Claudio De Lauzieres and Claudia Torcellan
a Neopolitan who has been living in Venice for 12 years
rhapsodises about the local ingredients with a boyish enthusiasm: "Neapolitan cuisine is much more well-known than Venetian cuisine
but the lagoon offers so many different environments and unique tastes
The castraùre symbolise the richness of the land here."
He prepares three castraùre dishes: a silky
gently sautéed version that doesn't just melt on the tongue but entirely disappears
leaving a subtly sweet aftertaste; tagliolini in a velvety artichoke sauce; and raw shavings of the vegetable in a salad with oil
He watches my face as I take a bite of the salad and grins at my expression of surprise at the tiny bud's powerful taste
Its flavour instantly takes me back to Camerino's boat and the smell of the salty lagoon air whipping past my face
a consortium created in 2004 to promote the local violet artichoke
Its label is a mark of quality and authenticity
"Some vegetable sellers take the consorzio label and stick it on other crates of normal artichokes," Finotello explained
"Or they will buy some castraùre but then mix them in with normal artichokes so they're still making a bit extra."
When the consortium receives a tip-off about producers passing off Tuscan artichokes as the Sant'Erasmo version
Finotello contacts them directly to ask them to desist – but the consortium isn't a policeman
nor the time or money to take them to court
He says that it's vital to only buy castraùre from a local producer
and to always make sure that they have the consortium's label
in order to protect the centuries-old tradition of growing them
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I visit Finotello at his farm to see him harvest the castraùre
and the earth is springy after days of rain
The artichoke plants are slowly opening up in the sun
Finotello shows me how to cut a castraùra gently off the stalk with the traditional curved knife
which he holsters in the pocket of his overalls between rows
The plants used to be fertilised with scoasse (garbage in Venetian dialect)
"We can't do that anymore because there's too much plastic in the food system," Finotello tells me
"We'd just be feeding the plants plastic."
When he finishes harvesting the small field
he counts how many castraùre he picked: 105
He then dumps the basket in the back of his trailer and looks at me
is holding court in a kitchen busy with the detritus of the recent Italian Easter celebration: chocolate eggs and endless cups of espresso next to slices of colomba
"Don't ever eat it as an antipasto!" she warns me
and it'll alter the taste of your first course." She insists that it is best eaten in the very simple Venetian style: uncooked
a bit of salt and shavings of Grana Padano
"The earth here on Sant'Erasmo is all the condiment you need!"
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Greek triathlon phenom Panagiotis Bitados struck again at IRONMAN 70.3 Venice-Jesolo on Sunday
sprinting to a stunning victory in the Pro Series showdown in Italy
The prodigiously talented 21-year-old starred once again to claim his second victory in IRONMAN 70.3 combat – having already claimed the win at last year’s European Championship in Tallinn. He is now two from two
Britain’s Cameron Main claimed an excellent second place with Denmark’s Emil Holm completing the podium
British Olympian Sam Dickinson finished well for fourth but long-time leader – Germany’s former 70.3 World Champion Rico Bogen – fell away to end the day in seventh
Jannik Schaufler (GER) was first out of the water
closely followed by eventual winner Bitados
Jonas Schomburg (GER) and Simon Westermann (SUI)
Bitados put on an aggressive display of racing as he took the lead early on the bike course
but Bogen quickly got to work to lead the 11-strong chase pack for most of the leg
Bogen had a three-and-a-half-minute lead as he headed out onto the run course after a blistering course record bike split of 1:53:34
And early in the half-marathon he looked composed and in control
Behind him, 11 men had entered T2 within about 15 seconds of each other
with the 21-year-old Greek talent catching Rico just past halfway on the run
with both Main and Holm putting down blistering run splits to finish in second and third places respectively
Bogen failed to keep the aggressive run pace up
Schomburg and Pierre Le Corre (FRA) all overtaking him in the later stages
Afterwards a delighted Bitados said: “That’s my first [IRONMAN] 70.3 for this year
and I am really happy to win… I had a bad
but then I found my rhythm on the run and then I catch Cameron [Main] and Emil [Holm]… and I ran to just finish second
but then I understood I was so close to Rico
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The Gondoliers’ No. 1 tandem swept its four matches to punctuate a perfect season and lead Venice to its first girls’ beach volleyball team championship, one that was capped by a 3-0 shutout of Taft in the finals.
Lortie and Rozell are also outside hitters on Venice’s indoor squad, which fell in a five-set thriller to Taft in the City Open Division title match last fall, though both acknowledge they like the beach game more.
“We had a drive to win pairs since we were runner-up last year, but winning this is equal because we love our teammates and we get to share this one with them,” said Rozell, a senior who started playing recreationally on the beach in 10th grade and did not take up indoor volleyball until her junior year.
“We only lost twice all last year, once in league to Palisades and in the pairs finals [to El Camino Real sisters Audrey and Addison Choi],” added Lortie, a junior who has played indoor since she was 10 and beach since she was 13.
Lortie and Rozell beat another El Camino Real duo, Aja Najar and Mackenzie Hazelton 28-20 in the pairs final Tuesday after escaping Taft’s Eva Velarde and Laila Braimah 28-24 in the semifinal round. On Friday, they found themselves facing Velarde and Braimah again with the team crown on the line and prevailed 21-18, 21-10. Lortie and Rozell did not drop a set all season.
Savannah Rozell (left) and Samantha Lortie won the City Section pairs tournament and three days later led Venice to its first girls’ beach volleyball team title. (Steve Galluzzo / For The Times) “This is only our second year having a school beach team,” Lortie said. “We’d thought about playing together and when we tried out our coach [Charlie Styrbicki] agreed we’d be a good fit.”
Lortie clinched her team’s championship with a spike on match point moments after Venice’s No. 2 tandem of Catherine Campbell and Adelaide Groff completed their 21-10, 21-18 victory over Taft’s Francine Baltazar-Shine and Ionna Relorcasa one court over. Venice’s Kailyn Appling and Natalie Boothby beat Taft’s Jasmine Orellana and Nikita Luniv 21-15, 21-14 at the No. 3 position.
“For the first set we were adjusting to the wind,” Rozell said. “I kept getting aced on one side and depending on which end we served from we had to either put more on the ball or take a little off it.”
“By the second set we’d figured out what to do,” Lortie added.
Venice and Taft had split two regular-season meetings, both by 2-1 scores, so the Gondoliers’ No. 1 pair felt the pressure to set the tone for their team with the City title at stake.
Venice’s Samantha Lortie goes on the attack in the City beach volleyball team finals against Taft on Friday. (Steve Galluzzo / For The Times) “Savannah has insane hustle and her ball placement is incredible,” Lortie said of her partner. “Whenever I think the ball’s going down, she somehow always gets it.”
“Samantha’s consistent, she’s always positive and she has a great swing,” Rozell reciprocated. “We complement each other well, we have good communication and we get along off the court too.”
Venice, seeded first in the 16-team bracket, eliminated No. 16 Simon Tech, No. 8 Grant and No. 5 Birmingham on its way to the final while the third-seeded Toreadors beat No. 14 Westchester, No. 6 El Camino Real and No. 2 Chatsworth.
Braimah’s block on championship point lifted Taft to the title over Venice in November and she and Velarde keyed Taft’s 2-1 semifinal upset on the sand Friday by besting the Chancellors’ top tandem of Samantha Sikorski and Laila Velu, 21-10, 21-14. Chatsworth had beaten Taft twice during the season.
“Third time’s the charm,” Toreadors coach Rene Lopez said.
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The Workshops will take place in the Speakers’ Corner at the Corderie dell’Arsenale from 8 May 2025 throughout the 6 months of the Exhibition
Workshops will run starting from the first pre-opening day
throughout the six months of the 19th International Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia
curated by Carlo Ratti (10 May – 23 November 2025)
the Workshops will take place in the Speakers’ Corner at the Corderie dell’Arsenale
emphasizing interdisciplinary dialogue as a key theme of Intelligens
Along with Conferences as part of the GENS Public Programme
Workshops invite the public to engage with the ideas and materials of the Exhibition
mobilizing collective intelligence to transform the built and natural environments in response to the climate crisis
and expanding the meaning of Intelligens through public discourse
The Speakers’ Corner is designed by Christopher Hawthorne (Senior Critic
Johnston Marklee (Johnston Marklee & Associates)
University of Illinois Chicago School of Architecture)
with the support of the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy
The Workshops constitute an ongoing program of initiatives conceived by the participants in Space for Ideas and numerous other key figures on the international scene
Complementing these events is Restaging Criticism
a series of meetings dedicated to contemporary architectural criticism
curated by Christopher Hawthorne and Florencia Rodriguez for the Speakers’ Corner
and structured around four categories: Modes and Platforms
The GENS Public Programme is continuously evolving, with Conferences and Workshops regularly added to the event calendar. Carlo Ratti, curator of the 19th Exhibition, will be participating in many of these sessions, including those scheduled during the pre-opening days. The public is encouraged to visit the official website of La Biennale di Venezia for further information and real-time updates on the programme
Conferences and Workshops of GENS Public Programme →
The Awards Ceremony will take place on Saturday
The Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement has been awarded to the American philosopher Donna Haraway; the Special Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement in Memoriam to the Italian architect and designer Italo Rota (1953-2024)
Conferences and Workshops (including panel discussions
and Corderie dell’Arsenale from 10 May 2025 throughout the 6 months of the Exhibition
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After nearly a decade of operation, the OMA–renovated Fondaco dei Tedeschi in Venice shuts its doors (find designboom’s previous coverage here)
the LVMH-owned travel retailer that runs the department store
posts a quiet notice on its website: ‘As of May 1
our store will be closed.’ The news is followed by a farewell post on Instagram
thanking friends and customers for the years of shared experiences
while tourists were drawn in as much for the panoramic views as for the luxury shopping
all images by Delfino Sisto Legnani and Marco Cappelletti © OMA
little of its original structure remained untouched
commissioned by the Benetton family in 2009
carved out new public paths through the mass
added a hovering steel-and-glass floor over the central courtyard
and revived the rooftop by transforming a 19th-century pavilion into a wooden terrace with panoramic views over Venice.
the OMA–renovated Fondaco dei Tedeschi in Venice shuts its doors
they opened up vertical circulation with new escalators
and reinstated the gallerias as surfaces for frescoes
a public piazza at the heart of the structure.
DFS operated the space as a luxury department store
OMA’s design was also about public access
It avoided nostalgia and challenged the idea that heritage buildings must be static or sacred
Its protected status severely limits what can be altered
but its history shows that the Fondaco always adapts
the space that regularly hosted art installations
locals often used the historic building as a shortcut between Campo San Bartolomeo and the Rialto
Venice was home to DFS’s only store in Europe
tourists were drawn in as much for the panoramic views as for the luxury shopping
the courtyard became a kind of indoor campo
a steel-and-glass floor hovers over the central courtyard
transforming a 19th-century pavilion into a wooden terrace with panoramic views over Venice
OMA’s revamp carved out new public paths through the mass
its history shows that the Fondaco always adapts | image courtesy of DFS
name: Fondaco dei Tedeschi (DFS Venice) | @tfondaco
renovation architect: OMA | @oma.eu operator: DFS Group
lead architects: Ippolito Pestellini Laparelli | @ippopeste, Rem Koolhaas | @rem.koolhaas, Silvia Sandor | @silviasandor
Norwegian triathlon is not just about Kristian Blummenfelt and Gustav Iden
we may have another swim/bike/run phenom on our hands after Solveig Lovseth romped to a stunning victory at IRONMAN 70.3 Venice-Jesolo in Italy on Sunday
The 25-year-old Olympian from Trondheim simply was brilliant as she claimed an impressive Pro Series victory and the third 70.3 success of her career
following on from Indian Wells La Quinta in 2023 and Warsaw in 2024
The win was set up by a blistering bike leg from the Scandinavian star
with her 2:06:59 split faster than 14 of the pro men racing on Sunday
Germany’s Lena Meissner claimed second spot with France’s Emilie Morier completing the podium
Meissner led for most of the bike course through the Italian countryside after coming out of the water in front – with more than two minutes in hand on the eventual winner
who had been chipping away to close in on the German
eventually made a pass in the final third of the bike leg
She then kept her cool as she got on to the run course
staying strong and consistent to increase her lead to a winning margin of more than six minutes
Her time of 3:53:22 is one of the fastest recorded in IRONMAN 70.3 history
managed to run herself onto the podium in one of the best races of her career
in the process punching her ticket to the 2025 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championships in Marbella.
Afterwards Lovseth said: “My swim was alright I guess
I knew that Lena was in front and tried to chase her for the first 60km
and then tried to just stay even all the way to transition
so you’re always afraid that someone is coming from behind
so I just tried to keep my pace high on the run… my main goal was to not blow off or I will destroy everything
so I tried to be a little more conservative and just enjoy as well, and it was I quite easy to enjoy it with so many spectators around
This was our preview of IRONMAN 70.3 Venice-Jesolo 2025 – you can click here for details on how Panagiotis Bitados and Solveig Lovseth registered brilliant Pro race victories
The fifth event of the 2025 IRONMAN Pro Series takes place this weekend (Sunday May 4) in Italy as 70.3 Venice-Jesolo takes centre stage with vital points up for grabs
Athletes will be competing to earn 2,500 points, with 2023 IRONMAN 70.3 World Champion Rico Bogen the headline act on the men’s side, with current Pro Series contender Anne Reischmann, who won earlier this year at IRONMAN South Africa
looking to add further points to her tally
The race boasts strong fields in both the professional races
Bogen will be challenged by a strong German roster with 2024 IRONMAN Barcelona champion Jan Stratmann
2024 IRONMAN 70.3 Switzerland and Hradec Kralove victor Leonard Arnold and two-time 70.3 podium finisher Jonas Hoffman
Reischmann will be joined on the women’s start line by a strong Dutch stable with 2024 IRONMAN 70.3 Philippines champion Els Visser
2024 IRONMAN 70.3 Poznan victor Marlene De Boer and 2023 IRONMAN 70.3 Gdynia winner Diede Diederiks set to do battle
IRONMAN 70.3 Venice-Jesolo takes place on Sunday May 4 with the Pro Men’s race beginning at 07:15am local time
01:15am Eastern Time in the US and 10:15pm (Saturday May 3) on the West Coast
The Pro Women take to the water eight minutes later at 07:23am before the mass age group start at 07:30am. Coverage of the race will be available on proseries.ironman.com, the IRONMAN YouTube Channel
L’Equipe Live and on Outside TV in the US and Canada
The good news is we have embedded the live stream so you can watch it without leaving TRI247
the IRONMAN Tracker App will also cover the race
IRONMAN 2025 South Africa champion Reischmann will be keen to put a marker down at the head of the Pro Series standings
The German earned a mammoth 5,000 points in South Africa
and a solid performance in Italy would move her to the top of the rankings
She’ll be re-opposed by Maja Stage Nielsen of Denmark
who earned a top-five finish at IRONMAN South Africa
The 36-year-old is yet to win an IRONMAN or IRONMAN 70.3 race
Other potential contenders include four-time IRONMAN 70.3 podium finisher Daniela Kleiser of Germany
IRONMAN South Africa’s third-place competitor Katrine Christensen (DEN) and Norway’s Solveig Løvseth – who is the current IRONMAN 70.3 Warsaw champion
De Boer and Diederiks represent the Netherlands
Great Britain’s Kate Curran is a two-time podium finisher over the middle-distance and Sweden’s Anna Bergsten will also be a contender
2023 IRONMAN 70.3 World Champion Bogen of Germany headlines the field
The T100-contracted athlete has just two middle-distance wins to his name in his career but is certainly the class of this field
and will take a 10th-place finish from T100 Singapore into the event
Bogen will be challenged by compatriots Stratmann
and there is strong British interest as well with 2023 IRONMAN 70.3 Staffordshire runner-up Joshua Lewis
IRONMAN 70.3 Italy winner Samuel Dickinson and Cameron Main – who finished fourth in Geelong earlier this year – all on the start line
2022 IRONMAN 70.3 Jesolo winner Alessandro Fabian will be hoping home comforts bring success
The Italian is not a regular on the IRONMAN circuit
but has four top-10 finishes in five races
including a third-place in Tallinn in 2023
German double Olympian Jonas Schomburg was third at 2025 IRONMAN South Africa earlier this year and will likely contend
another two-time Olympian who finished fourth in Paris
The 1.9km swim takes place in the waters of the Adriatic Sea via a single loop in front of Jesolo’s iconic lighthouse which marks the border between the Municipalities of Jesolo and Cavllino
The 90km bike leg is also a single loop course
The Venetian lagoon and its landscape surround the athletes before reaching Cavallino
athletes will reach Cortellazzo and its unforgettable bridge of boats and up to the municipality of Eraclea which is characterised by the gorgeous picture-perfect canals
Three 7km loops await the triathletes to conclude the race alongside the shore line. At the end of the third lap
athletes will be directed onto a footpath that will bring them to finish line situated on the beach
The 2025 IRONMAN Pro Series continues to motor along as we reach the fifth stop of the campaign in Italy at IRONMAN 70.3 Venice-Jesolo
The winner of each race will be awarded 2,500 points
with remaining professional finishers earning points on their finish time compared to the victor – a one second deficit translates to one point lost
With four races down of 18 scheduled, Australia’s Chloe Lane leads the women’s standings with 5,913 points ahead of Germany’s Reischmann (5,000), Great Britain’s Kat Matthews (5,000)
Canada’s Tamara Jewett (4,991) and US star Alice Alberts (4,923)
American standout Rudy von Berg tops the men’s standings with 6,193 points ahead of Norway’s Kristian Blummenfelt (6,812)
France’s Leon Chevalier (6,218) and Big Blu’s compatriot Casper Stornes (5,829)
The male and female pro with the most points at the end of the Pro Series will be crowned IRONMAN Pro Series Champions
A competitor’s best five events will determine their points total
A cool $200,000 is on offer for the series winner on both the men’s and women’s side
with second earning €130,000 and third receiving $85,000
The cumulative payout for the 2025 season is €2,450,000
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Venice is charging day-trippers to the famed canal city an arrivals tax for a second year starting on Friday
a measure to combat the overtourism that officials say is putting the city’s UNESCO World Cultural Heritage status at risk
A UNESCO body decided against putting Venice on its list of cultural heritage sites deemed in danger after the tax was announced
Venice is charging day-trippers to the famed canal city an arrivals tax for the second year starting Friday
a measure aimed at combating the kind of overtourism that put the city’s UNESCO World Cultural Heritage status at risk
Venice on Friday launches for a second year a pilot program to charge day-trippers an entrance fee
A man walks as people stand on a water bus “Vaporetto” in Venice Italy
Stewards check tourists’ QR codes outside the main train station in Venice
as the city for a second year is charging day-trippers an arrivals tax
A steward’s gilet states an arrival tax fee for tourists visiting Venice
A tourist jumps in San Marco square in Venice
Tourists take pictures on Rialto Bridge “Ponte di Rialto” in Venice
Tourists take a break in San Marco square in Venice
Tourists take pictures in San Marco square in Venice
A taxi sails under the Rialto Bridge “Ponte di Rialto” in Venice
Tourists take pictures next Rialto Bridge “Ponte di Rialto” in Venice
The fee charged to visitors who are not overnighting in Venice to enter its historic center during the second year of the day-tripper tax
Visitors who download a QR code at least three days in advance will pay 5 euros ($5.69) — the same amount charged last year throughout the pilot program
But those who make last-minute plans pay double
and is checked at entry points to the city
the Piazzale Roma bus depot and the Tronchetto parking garage
The number of days this year that day visitors to Venice will be charged a fee to enter the historic center
They include mostly weekends and holidays from April 18 to July 27
The new calendar covers entire weeks over key holidays and extends the weekend period to include Fridays
That is the amount Venice took in during a 2024 pilot program for the tax
said last year the running costs for the new system ran to 2.7 million euros
Zuin projects a surplus of about 1 million euros to 1.5 million euros
which will be used to offset the cost of trash collection and other services for residents
The number of day-trippers who paid the tax in 2024
Officials said that 12,744 day-trippers paid to enter the city on Friday — 7,173 at the higher 10-euro rate
They were among the 77,000 who have registered so far to enter the city this year
Another 117,000 have registered for exemptions
studying or working in the historic center
The average number of daily visitors on the first 11 days of 2024 that Venice charged day-trippers
That’s about 10,000 people more than the number of tourists recorded on each of the three important holidays during the previous year
City council member Giovanni Andrea Martini
said the figures show the project has not deterred visitors
The number of official residents in Venice’s historic center composed of over 100 islands connected by footbridges and traversed by its famed canals
when Venice was home to thriving industries
The number shrank during Italy’s postwar economic boom as residents moved to the mainland for more modern housing — including indoor plumbing which was lacking in Venice
It has been shrinking dramatically over recent decades as local industry lost traction
families sought mainland conveniences and housing prices rose
Activists also blame the “mono-culture” of tourism
which they say has emptied the city of basic services like shops for everyday goods and medical care
The number of beds for tourists in Venice’s historic center
including 12,627 in the less regulated short-term rental market
according to April data from the Ocio housing activist group
The number of tourist beds surpassed the number of permanent residents in 2023
Anyone staying in a hotel within the city limits
including on the mainland districts of Mestre and Marghera
pays a lodging tax and is therefore exempt from the day-tripper tax
The number of annual arrivals of both day-trippers and overnight guests roughly confirmed by cellphone data tracked from a Smart Control Room since 2020
Venice’s entrance fee will resume from Friday
with the main novelty this year being that last-minute day-trippers will pay double
as part of an experiment aimed at dissuading day visitors during busy periods
Venice became the first major tourist city in the world to charge people to enter
Although the initiative made little impact on visitor numbers
it did rake in €2.4m for the lagoon city’s coffers
and Venice authorities still believe it will eventually contribute to helping the Unesco world heritage city tackle overtourism
This year’s levy, which is bookable online
but will double if bought within three days before arrival in the city
almost double the number of days compared with last year
The measure applies between 8.30am and 4pm local time
Visitors are provided with a QR code which they will need to present to stewards hired to patrol the city’s main entrance points
for example Venezia Santa Lucia train station
Anyone who books an overnight stay in Venice is exempt from paying the fee, as are tourists from the wider Veneto region, which is where most day-trippers come from, as well as children under the age of 14. But even if a visitor has booked a hotel room they are still obliged to register their presence on the website
Last year set a new record for visitors to Venice and its wider area
with more than 3.9 million staying overnight in the city’s historic centre
More than 35,000 day-trippers have already booked a ticket, according to the local news website Venezia Today
said that while there was “no magic wand” solution to a problem affecting many European tourist cities
the access fee scheme “represents a tangible and innovative tool” in terms of data analysis and managing visitor flows
but from now on the city will be able to rely on objective data rather than mere estimates to understand the phenomenon of overtourism,” he said
“Our goal is to encourage quality tourism – overnight stays – that respects the city and seeks to engage with it on a deeper level
embracing its unique character and rhythm.”
Another goal was to “strike a better balance between the rights of those who live in Venice and those who wish to visit it”
While the fee was mostly embraced by tourists last year
it was bitterly contested by Venice’s residents
Many of them believe the only real way to achieve more sustainable tourism would be to target the people who stay overnight by clamping down on short-term holiday lets and improving services for the year-round population
which in 2022 fell below 50,000 for the first time
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“It has made absolutely no difference,” he said
“The numbers have actually been increasing
Although there have been no new protests against the fee
residents have objected to attempts to encourage tourists to visit lesser-known areas of Venice’s main island
“It is a measure aimed at reducing tourist pressure but naturally it has provoked anger among people living in these areas as it will disrupt their peace,” said Martini
“It is becoming even more tragic for those who live here.”
By ALISON BOSHOFF FOR THE MAIL ON SUNDAY
With his space-faring fiancee Lauren Sanchez safely back on terra firma
the world’s second richest man can focus his attentions on what is set to be the wedding of the decade
The venue for this astronomically expensive do in June is Venice and the buzz there has reached fever pitch
‘People are almost hysterical with excitement – from water taxis to the hotel concierges,’ says a local source
Danielle Nay, the producer of numerous huge celebrity and royal weddings, many of which have also taken place in Italy’s historic ‘Floating City’
‘It’s a smart move by Jeff Bezos to select the world’s most beautiful, romantic city for his wedding to Lauren Sanchez
It aligns the couple with centuries of history and a pedigree of elegant A-list nuptials
from the Clooneys in 2014 to Alexandre Arnault and Geraldine Guyot in 2021.’
attracting attention and investment at a time when the city is going through a new cultural renaissance.’ Three of the city’s best hotels are booked out for the festivities: The Aman Palace
Another 200 support staff will also need to be accommodated between June 26 and 29, with sources talking about multiple events over three days.
But the highlight will be the ceremony and many in Venice believe the private island of San Giorgio Maggiore is the place the couple have chosen for the event. The beautiful, secluded spot is home to the former San Giorgio monastery which now houses the Cini Foundation, a cultural charity.
It has incomparable views across the lagoon to St Mark’s Square and the Doge’s Palace.
Jeff Bezos has chosen Venice for his wedding to Lauren Sanchez. It aligns them with a number of elegant A-list nuptials, from the Clooneys to Alexandre Arnault and Geraldine Guyot
A city hall source in Venice says the Cini is certainly in the running to host Amazon chief Mr Bezos, who arrived this week to look at potential venues
The buildings are filled with artworks and a valuable archive and its cloisters would make the perfect setting.
A spokesman for the foundation says that they are ‘not able to confirm, comment on or deny’ anything to do with the nuptials, which falls short of a denial.
A city hall source in Venice says the Cini is certainly in the running to host Amazon chief Mr Bezos, who arrived a fortnight ago, to look at potential venues and meet Venice’s mayor Luigi Brugnaro.
Mr Bezos, I am told, was ‘extremely concerned about privacy’ and the Cini would shield the event from prying eyes.
City hall sources added no public spaces will be cordoned off and tourists will still be able to enjoy the city while the wedding takes place, which also points to the private island monastery being at the centre of the festivities.
‘Everyone is making a big deal about the wedding causing chaos but the planning is under way to keep the city open throughout,’ says a source.
‘Taxis will still be available, people will still be able to get around and see the sights. This will be a very private event, and very well-planned.’
As for security concerns, the Cini Foundation has twice hosted the G7 summit, with world leaders including Francois Mitterrand and Margaret Thatcher attending.
If Donald Trump turns up, as expected, he will follow in Presidents Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter’s footsteps. A source says: ‘The island isn’t just private, its practically sovereign territory.’
Ms Nay, who has worked with royalty and A-list stars via her company Blu Fire, says the Cini would be the perfect choice.
‘Venice’s historic sites are in a constant state of competitive fundraising and this wedding will be supporting the preservation of the incredible Cini art collection and architectural restoration at the site, including the gorgeous amphitheatre at the back,’ she says.
‘I hope that the weekend’s itinerary will include cultural visits to some of the city’s off-market palazzi and other secret treasures – that’s always my favourite part of Venetian itinerary planning.’
She adds: ‘For Mr Bezos and his bride, this isn’t just a wedding. It’s a major event, a statement of class and a sort of cultural takeover, done tastefully one hopes.
‘He comes from a philanthropic family and will be giving back to the city by fundraising restoration of key parts of the Fondazione Cini, such as the wonderful amphitheatre in the gardens. It’s all very considered. Luxe, but with legacy.’
And the cost? Wild reports circulated last year that the wedding would cost $500million, which Bezos scoffed at as ‘fake news’.
A wedding planner, who preferred to remain anonymous, said: ‘You can do a perfectly nice wedding in Venice for half a million but I would say $30million is the floor, not the ceiling.
Mr Bezos, 61, and Ms Sanchez, 55, were spotted in Venice on Tuesday and also in Milan later in the week
Rumours that the wedding will take place on Mr Bezos’s $500million superyacht Koru have been rebuffed but there will likely be at least one party aboard the boat, which will be anchored in the Venetian Lagoon
‘When you factor in A-list and other performers, private jets, luxury accommodation and gold standard discretion, the total could easily soar.’
That source adds: ‘If you think spending tens of millions on a wedding is vulgar, consider that Mr Bezos, like many billionaires, will see this an act of cultural charity and value, as well as job creation.
‘When you’re Jeff Bezos, there’s no such thing as OTT. As my San Francisco clients say, “There’s always another level”.’
Others say there is no way the wedding will cost as much as $30million and that it is likely to be a small fraction of that. If so, good for Jeff for driving a bargain.
‘Established in 2000, we have worked on every continent and are responsible for masterminding the world’s most exclusive, private and spectacular parties.
‘Discretion is paramount to us. We have no social media presence and no examples of previous work are published.’
It’s widely known, though, that the luxe company masterminded George Clooney’s romantic 2014 Venice wedding to Amal, which was largely at the Aman Palace Hotel, a 16th century palazzo.
Lanza and Baucina also arranged actress Salma Hayek’s Venetian wedding to fashion billionaire François-Henri Pinault in 2009
which was held at La Fenice opera house (it is understood La Fenice is booked out for other events at the time of the Bezos nuptials so has been ruled out as a venue)
Other events put on by the company include the Google summit in Sicily in 2018
where a group of billionaires were addressed on eco issues by a barefoot Prince Harry
Prince Antonio said: ‘With our family connections
we always know someone who can open secret doors in Italy.’
They have put on dinner parties at the Colosseum in Rome and specialise in negotiating access to ‘off-limits’ settings for their rich clients
When Meghan Markle’s close friend Misha Nonoo married her first husband
Lanza and Baucina arranged for them to hold the wedding at Forte di Sant’Andrea
a 16th century island fort that once guarded Venice and had never been used for a private event
with Princess Beatrice and James Middleton among the guests
He is involved again with the Bezos wedding
As Ms Nay says: ‘People love the fun stuff – design ideas
venue and menu selection – but logistics in Venice are challenging
It’s like producing a West End show on water
he will follow in Presidents Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter’s footsteps
The mayor Sr Brugnaro has already stepped in to quash reports in the local media that the wedding is set to consume the city
‘The many speculations and fake news circulating about Jeff Bezos’s wedding are completely unfounded,’ he stressed earlier this month
adding the city is working with wedding organisers
He clarified that about 200 guests will be attending the ceremony
noting that Venice in the past has hosted international events ‘with much greater impact than this one’
were spotted in Venice on Tuesday and also in Milan later in the week
with Ms Sanchez carrying several bags from Dolce & Gabbana
She will – like Amal Clooney – have a number of looks planned for the wedding but sources suggest she has chosen American house Oscar de la Renta for her wedding dress
at the suggestion of Vogue supremo Anna Wintour
Rumours that the wedding will take place on Mr Bezos’s $500million superyacht Koru have been rebuffed but there will likely be at least one party aboard the boat
which will be anchored in the Venetian Lagoon
is the largest masted yacht ever built – and the place where Mr Bezos proposed to Ms Sanchez
A source said: ‘The wedding is based on a buy-out of at least three top hotels for guests and VIPs – take your pick between the Aman
Then the supporting cast of hundreds would more likely be at the Gritti – the performers
‘The size of a high calibre wedding guest list in Venice is usually dictated by the number of hotels that are available to buy out at the time of booking
‘Rumours abound that the island of San Giorgio Maggiore will be privatised for the ceremony
is said to be taking place at art destination Fondazione Cini
‘Mr Bezos is in safe hands with his agency who work only with ultra-high net-worth individuals and luxury brands
though they will bolster their core team massively
Venice is one of the most logistically challenging places on Earth to deliver a wedding
immaculate logistics planning and the best address book to move all of the people and equipment around the city from one venue to the next on time
The source adds Venice is infamously expensive
which will inflate costs: ‘A coordinated fleet of water taxis could cost upwards of $250,000
depending on how many days guests are staying
large jets can’t land at the tiny private terminal
so if Jeff Bezos doesn’t want his guests dragging their own baggage off the carousel
they’ll need to arrive in small private planes and be whisked straight into water taxis at the nearby dock
‘I imagine the reality will be a combination of the two.’
But then Mr Bezos has built his Amazon fortune by constantly
fulfilling logistical challenges of delivering any product to any consumer
The team putting on his wedding will surely understand that there can be no falling short
Additional reporting from Silvia Marchetti in Italy
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The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group
Wedding bells are ringing for Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez − and they're coming from an ocean away
The union between tech mogul Bezos and Sánchez
will likely be one of the most star-studded events of the year
without any disruption whatsoever to the city
Lauren Sánchez reveals how fiance Jeff Bezos and her kids inspired her children's book
The announcement comes amid speculation that the small Italian hamlet
built atop a grouping of islands off the country's mainland
would be overburdened by what is expected to be a lavish celebration
"Our city has much experience in international events much larger than this," the city's statement continued
"Venice is accustomed to being the stage for events and shows every week
Jeff Bezos playfully warns Leonardo DiCaprio after viral video with girlfriend Lauren Sánchez
Venice is known for its romantic architecture and mid-city canals
where tourists can ride gondolas to take in the surrounding sights
"The organization (Bezos and guests) have categorically not booked large amounts of gondolas or excessive numbers of water taxis," the city's statement said
"It is their utmost priority to make sure the city functions as normal
gondolas and water taxis represent a primary mode of transportation
we are mutually working and supporting the organizers
to ensure that the event will be absolutely respectful of the fragility and uniqueness of the city," Mayor Luigi Brugnaro said in his own statement
Whoever loves Venice will always be welcome."
have not yet publicly shared when they will tie the knot
AMD announced late on Monday that it had obtained its first 2nm-class silicon, a core complex die (CCD) for its 6th Generation EPYC 'Venice' processor
The Venice CCD is the industry's first HPC CPU design to be taped out on TSMC's N2 process technology
highlighting AMD's aggressive roadmap and the readiness of TSMC's production node.
AMD's 6th Generation EPYC 'Venice' is expected to be based on the company's Zen 6 microarchitecture and is expected to be launched sometime in 2026
The CPU will rely on CCDs to be made on TSMC's N2 (2nm-class) fabrication process
so it is about time for the company to get the first Venice CCDs out of the fab
the fact that AMD already has chips it can talk about highlights the long-standing collaboration between AMD and TSMC as well as the culmination of joint efforts to build chips on one the most advanced process technologies that TSMC has ever developed to date.
AMD isn't discussing the details of its EPYC 'Venice' processors or CCDs
though the company's press release claims that the silicon had been taped out and brought up
which means that the CCD has successfully powered on and has passed basic functional testing and validation.
"TSMC has been a key partner for many years
and our deep collaboration with their R&D and manufacturing teams has enabled AMD to consistently deliver leadership products that push the limits of high-performance computing," said Dr
"Being a lead HPC customer for TSMC's N2 process and for TSMC Arizona Fab 21 are great examples of how we are working closely together to drive innovation and deliver the advanced technologies that will power the future of computing."
TSMC's N2 is the foundry's first process technology that relies on gate-all-around (GAA) nanosheet transistors
The company expects its manufacturing technology to offer either a 24% to 35% reduction in power consumption or a 15% increase in performance at constant voltage
along with a 1.15X boost in transistor density compared to the previous N3 (3nm-class) generation
These gains are primarily driven by the new type of transistors and the N2 NanoFlex design-technology co-optimization framework
AMD's announcement comes after its arch-rival Intel delayed the release of its next-generation Xeon 'Clearwater Forest' processor made on its 18A manufacturing technology (which is set to rival TSMC's N2) to the first half of next year.
AMD announced that it has successfully validated the silicon of its 5th Generation EPYC processor produced by TSMC at its Fab 21 facility near Phoenix
some of the company's current-generation EPYC CPUs can now be produced in the U.S.
Get Tom's Hardware's best news and in-depth reviews
"We are proud to have AMD be a lead HPC customer for our advanced 2nm (N2) process technology and TSMC Arizona fab," said Dr
we are driving significant technology scaling resulting in better performance
power efficiency and yields for high-performance silicon
We look forward to continuing to work closely with AMD to enable the next era of computing."
he has covered everything from CPUs and GPUs to supercomputers and from modern process technologies and latest fab tools to high-tech industry trends
Dynatron coolers support up to 660W for Intel Diamond Rapids and AMD Venice CPUs
Intel hedges its bet for High-NA EUV with the 14A process node — an alternate Low-NA technique has identical yield and design rules
Star Trek fans in May The Fourth RTX 5090 competition
water and wood: The system that kept a 1604-year-old city afloat26 March 2025ShareSaveAnna BressaninShareSaveEmmanuel Lafont/ BBC(Credit: Emmanuel Lafont/ BBC)Most modern structures are built to last 50 years or so
but ingenious ancient engineering has kept this watery city afloat for more than 1,600 years – using only wood
in a true marvel of engineering leveraging the forces of physics and nature
reinforced concrete and steel do the work that this inverted forest has been doing for centuries
few foundations today could last as long as Venice's
"Concrete or steel piles are designed [with a guarantee to last] 50 years today," says Alexander Puzrin
professor of geomechanics and geosystems engineering at the ETH university in Zurich
but when we build houses and industrial structures
Puzrin has been asked to provide a guarantee of 500 years for a construction a Baháʼí temple in Israel
"I was kind of shocked because this was unusual," he recalls
Sign.' None of us is going to be there."
The Venetian piles technique is fascinating for its geometry, its centuries-old resilience, and for its sheer scale. No-one is exactly sure how many millions of piles there are under the city, but there are 14,000 tightly packed wooden poles in the foundations of the Rialto bridge alone
and 10,000 oak trees under the San Marco Basilica
"I was born and raised in Venice," says Caterina Francesca Izzo
environmental chemistry and cultural heritage professor at the University of Venice
I knew that underneath the Venetian buildings
there are the trees of Cadore [the mountain region next to Venice]
But I didn't know how these piles were placed
nor the fact that the battipali (literally the 'pile hitters') had a very important profession
It is fascinating from a technical and technological point of view."
The battipali would hammer down the piles by hand
and they would sing an ancient song to keep the rhythm – a haunting and repetitive melody with lyrics that praise Venice
and declare death to the enemy of the time
na testa da bater pai (literally 'a head that is good to pound down the piles') is a colourful way of saying that someone is dull or slow-witted
The piles were stuck as deep as possible, until they couldn't be pounded down any further, starting at the outer edge of the structure and moving towards the centre of the foundations, usually driving nine piles per square metre in a spiral shape
The heads were then sawn to obtain a regular surface
Transverse wooden structures – either zatteroni (boards) or madieri (beams) – were placed on top
these beams or boards were up to 50cm (20in) thick
the dimensions were 20cm (8in) or even less
oak would only be used to build ships – it was too valuable to stick in the mud.) On top of this wooden foundation
workers would place the stone of the building
It details rules to exploit the woods without depleting them."
these conservation practices must have been in use years before they were written down
"That explains why the Fiemme Valley is still covered by a lush fir forest today." Countries such as England
were facing wood shortages by the middle of the 16th Century already
Venice is not the only city relying on wooden piles for foundations – but there are key differences that make it unique
Amsterdam is another city partially built on wooden piles – here and in many other northern European cities
they go all the way down until they reach the bedrock
"Which is fine if the rock is close to the surface," says Thomas Leslie
professor of architecture at the University of Illinois
the bedrock is well beyond the reach of a pile
the bedrock could be 100ft (30m) below the surface
There were stories of Chicago in the 1880s where they tried to drive one tree trunk on top of another
they realised that you could rely on the friction of the soil."
The principle is based on the idea of reinforcing the soil
raising substantial friction between piles and soil
"What's clever about that," says Leslie
"is that you're sort of using the physics… The beauty of it is that you're using the fluid nature of the soil to provide resistance to hold the buildings up." The technical term for this is hydrostatic pressure
which essentially means that the soil "grips" the piles if many are inserted densely in one spot
the Venetian piles work this way – they are too short to reach bedrock
and instead keep the buildings up thanks to friction
But the history of this way of building goes back further still
The technique was mentioned by 1st-Century Roman engineer and architect Vitruvius; Romans would use submerged piles to build bridges
Water gates in China were built with friction piles too
tore down the ancient city and built their Catholic cathedral on top
"The Aztecs knew how to build in their environment much better than the Spanish later
who have now huge problems with this metropolitan cathedral [where the floor is sinking unevenly]."
Puzrin holds a graduate class at ETH that investigates famous geotechnical failures
is an open-air museum of everything that can go wrong with your foundations."
After more than a millennium and a half in the water
Venice's foundations have proved remarkably resilient
Ten years ago, a team from the universities of Padova and Venice (departments ranging from forestry to engineering and cultural heritage) investigated the condition of the city's foundations, starting from the belltower of the Frari Church, built in 1440 on alder piles
The Frari belltower has been sinking 1mm (0.04in) a year since its construction
belltowers have more weight distributed on a smaller surface and therefore sink deeper and faster
who was part of the team investigating the city’s foundations
Caterina Francesca Izzo was working on the field
collecting and analyzing wood samples from underneath churches
belltowers and from the side of the canals
which were being emptied out and cleaned up at the time
She said that they had to be careful while they were working on the bottom of the dry canal
to avoid the wastewater sporadically gushing from the side pipes
The team found that throughout the structures they investigated
mud and wood was keeping it all together (good news)
water fills up the cells that are emptied out by bacteria
allowing wooden piles to maintain their shape
water and mud is held together under intense pressure
but we should still consider continuing this type of research," says Izzo
"We can't of course build entire cities on wood nowadays because we are too many on the planet," adds Macchioni
but it's undeniable that without artificial materials and without motors
ancient builders just had to be more ingenious
Venice is not the only city with wooden foundations
but it is "the only one [where the friction technique was used] en masse that is still surviving today and is so insanely beautiful"
"There were people out there who didn't study soil mechanics and geotechnical engineering
and yet they produced something we can only dream about producing
intuitive engineers who did exactly the right thing
taking advantage of all these special conditions."
* The illustrations in this story are for artistic purposes only and are not a true representation of the timber pile foundations under Venice
which are tightly packed and do not have branches
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In Australia, sea lions help researchers map the ocean floorResearchers in Australia put cameras on sea lions' backs to help them map the elusive ocean floor.
The deadly plants hiding in your gardenThe Poison Garden at the Alnwick Garden has around 100 toxic, intoxicating, and narcotic plants.
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Why is the Seine only 'kind of clean'?Despite big investments, the river is still unsafe after heavy rains. Did all the money go down the drain?
Listen to the secret coda of whalesNever before observed intricacies in sperm whale vocalisations reveal structures similar to human language.
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pushing for a shift from merely reducing environmental impact to actively designing for a world that’s already changing rapidly
Given Venice’s own vulnerability to climate change due to rising sea levels
the Italian city provides a fitting backdrop for an international gathering of thoughts
Venice Architecture Biennale 2025 takes place across the Giardini, Arsenale, and Forte Marghera. Alongside the main exhibition, the Biennale includes national participations by 66 countries, four of which are debuting for the first time: Azerbaijan, Togo, Qatar
Collateral events and parallel exhibitions are taking place all around the city
immersing visitors from every corner of the world into a global celebration of creativity and cultural exchange.
As every year, designboom’s guide is here to unpack all the important information around the 19th International Architecture Exhibition, as well as the must-see exhibitions, installations, and events taking place around Venice. Read on to discover more, and follow our dedicated Venice Architecture Biennale Instagram account here for real-time updates and exclusive coverage
illustration by Hara Nika
Ratti’s vision brings together an interdisciplinary group of participants
from architects and engineers to climate scientists
all working together to explore innovative
This collective approach to intelligence is central to the Biennale’s message
encouraging a more inclusive and forward-thinking way of designing our cities and homes
portrait of Carlo Ratti, image by Andrea Avezzù
taking place at the Giardini and the Arsenale
is set up as an interactive space where over 750 participants present their ideas and projects
The exhibition is divided into three sections: Natural Intelligence
Each section explores how these forms of intelligence can influence the way we design and experience the built environment
provocatively asks whether space exploration could offer solutions to the crises we face on Earth
suggesting that rather than looking to space for escape
and experiments spread across the Biennale sites—including the Giardini and Arsenale—transform Venice itself into a living laboratory
Designed by Sub Architecture and Bänziger Hug Kasper Florio
the exhibition design blends digital and physical spaces to encourage engagement and collaboration
image by Francesco Galli, courtesy La Biennale di Venezia
GENS is the public program designed to extend the Biennale’s reach beyond architectural circles
GENS runs throughout the six-month duration of the exhibition
offering a continuous series of events that combine design
Ratti pushes the Biennale’s curatorial framework into a space of collective intelligence
where architecture becomes a platform for transdisciplinary exchange
The program emerges as an extension of the ‘Space for Ideas’ initiative held in spring 2024
evolving into an active landscape of conferences
Open to the public and international in scope
GENS invites participants from across sectors to engage with the exhibition’s core themes as co-creators of knowledge.
image by Stephanie Fuessenich
The 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale welcomes 66 national participants—including debut entries from Azerbaijan
inviting them to respond to curator Carlo Ratti’s theme
each pavilion offers a site-specific answer to global challenges
transforming the Biennale into a shared atlas of resilient
Read on for a closer look at the national pavilions announced so far.
Albania presents Building Architecture Culture at the 19th Venice Architecture Biennale
the exhibition explores the evolving relationship between architecture and society
reflecting Albania’s cultural and urban transformation
A young democracy at the crossroads of Southern Europe and the Balkans
Albania has undergone a radical architectural shift since the collapse of its dictatorial regime in 1992
the country continues to redefine its built environment
navigating between past legacies and future aspirations
and thinkers engaged in the architectural landscape of Albania
Building Architecture Culture reveals a multi-layered narrative of transformation
Butrint National Park (2023-ongoing); Oppenheim Architecture
Architects; XDGA; Yashar Architects venue: Arsenale
The Argentine Pavilion showcases Siestario, an evocative installation by Rosario-based architects Juan Manuel Pachué and Marco Zampieron. Selected through an open competition organized by the Argentine Foreign Ministry and the Argentine Chamber of Urban Developers (CEDU)
an agricultural storage innovation from Argentina’s countryside
as a space of collective relaxation and contemplation
Highlighted for its conceptual coherence and material ingenuity
the installation invites visitors to pause
and dream amidst the dynamic environment of the Biennale
widely repurposed in Argentina as improvised roofs
transforms here into an architectural statement that contrasts its industrial origins with the elegant
The Argentine Pavilion at the 19th Venice Architecture Biennale | image by Brian Ejsmont
commissioners: Ambassador Alejandra Pecoraro
At the 19th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia, Armenia unveils Microarchitecture Through AI: Making New Memories with Ancient Monuments
an exploration of cultural memory and architectural preservation in the digital age
the show rethinks traditional notions of heritage by asking how artificial intelligence can document the past and also actively reimagine it.
Bringing together architects, researchers, and technologists from Electric Architects, TUMO Center for Creative Technologies
the exhibition navigates the intersection of tradition and innovation
Contributors such as Sipana Tchakerian and Chahan Vidal-Gorène (CALFA / MoNumEd)
alongside architects Karen Badalian and Varuzhan Kochkoyan (Electric Architects)
offer a radical rethinking of how monuments are remembered
image via @tumocenter
name: Microarchitecture through Al: Making New Memories with Ancient Monuments commissioner: Svetlana Sahakyan
Director of the Department of Modern Art in the Ministry of Education
Culture and Sport curator: Marianna Karapetyan exhibitors: Electric Architects
The Australian Pavilion presents HOME, an immersive and sensory-driven exhibition by First Nations design team Dr. Michael Mossman, Emily McDaniel, and Jack Gillmer. Commissioned by the Australian Institute of Architects
HOME celebrates Australia’s natural environment and Indigenous knowledge systems through a participatory design that fosters dialogue between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities on a global stage
the pavilion showcases First Nations methodologies as pathways toward reimagining architectural practices
HOME invites visitors to engage deeply with Aboriginal perspectives
offering a space for cultural learning and connection to Country
This landmark pavilion also responds to Australia’s ongoing conversations about self-determination and cultural agency in the aftermath of the national referendum on an Indigenous Voice to Parliament
commissioners: Australian Institute of Architects
The Austrian Pavilion unveils Agency for Better Living
curated by Professor Michael Obrist from TU Wien
This exhibition addresses one of Europe’s most pressing global issues: the future of housing and living
the pavilion seeks solutions for a holistic vision of a better life through a combination of top-down models and bottom-up approaches
By exploring these two models through architecture
the exhibition aims to provide valuable insights into sustainable and community-focused housing solutions
Agency for Better Living focuses on global housing questions
where the potential of urban regeneration is explored
The concept is centered around the idea that housing is not only a functional need but a societal and emancipatory question
The pavilion features four distinct ‘living settings,’ each contributing to an experiential exploration of new ways to approach living
a natural saltwater pool surrounded by a wooden deck
a living room designed for film projections
and a kitchen laboratory for reimagining better living solutions
Sonnwendviertel neighbourhood, one of the new city districts in Vienna | image by Paul Sebesta
commissioners: The Arts and Culture Division of the Federal Ministry for Art
Equilibrium. Patterns of Azerbaijan marks the Republic of Azerbaijan’s inaugural participation in the 19th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia
Curated by Nigar Gardashkhanova and commissioned by Rashad Aslanov
the exhibition is organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan
with support from the Azerbaijani Embassy in Italy.
Three main projects illustrate this vision: the Baku White City Project by the Azerbaijan Development Company
a large-scale urban regeneration effort transforming a former industrial zone into a model of sustainable development; Victory Park by Simmetrico Architettura
a contemporary public space in Baku blending historical memory with forward-looking design; and the restoration of the Zangilan Mosque by Adalat Mammadov
which reinterprets traditional Karabakh architecture with modern sensibilities
The Pavilion also honors the 900th anniversary of medieval architect Ajami Nakhchivani
celebrating his enduring influence on the region’s architectural heritage
Zangilan Mosque | image by Adil Yusifov
Patterns of Azerbaijan commissioner: Ambassador Rashad Aslanov curator: Nigar Gardashkhanova exhibitors: ADEC – Azerbaijan Development Company
The Belgian Pavilion reveals its theme, Building Biospheres, exploring the potential of plant intelligence in shaping the future of architecture. Led by a team consisting of landscape architect Bas Smets and biologist Stefano Mancuso
this exhibition delves into how architecture can evolve to integrate plants in ways that foster sustainability and livability
Building Biospheres proposes a new way of thinking about buildings as artificial microclimates
where plants play a pivotal role in purifying the air
and contributing to overall environmental resilience
Drawing on cutting-edge research in plant intelligence
the project envisions urban spaces that are more sustainable and better equipped to cope with climate change and urban heat islands
commissioners: Flanders Architecture Institute
Lisa Mandelartz and Steven Schenk with Lisa De Visscher and Petrus Kemme
The Brazil Pavilion presents (RE)INVENTION
a theme that investigates the intersection of ancestral knowledge and contemporary urban infrastructure
and Eder Alencar of the Plano Coletivo group
the project reflects on recent archaeological discoveries in the Amazon to reconsider the socio-environmental challenges of modern cities
(RE)INVENTION first examines how Indigenous peoples shaped their landscapes more than 10,000 years ago
developing infrastructures in sync with nature
The second act shifts to contemporary Brazil
exploring design strategies that reinterpret existing urban spaces with sustainability and adaptability in mind
The exhibition showcases inventive approaches
which transforms a linear structure into a seasonal
the exhibition reconfigures the Brazil Pavilion’s spaces using CLT panels
and stone counterweights—materials that can be reused post-exhibition
Restaurante Coati by Lina Bo Bardi and João Filgueiras Lima, 2014 | image courtesy of Joana França
Fundação Bienal de São Paulo curators: Luciana Saboia
Eder Alencar and Matheus Seco (Plano Coletivo)
Bulgaria introduces PSEUDONATURE
an architectural experiment that challenges our perception of control over the environment
Using a solar-powered snowmaking system to create an artificial winter
the project unfolds in a paradox: as snow accumulates
it buries the very panels that generate it
This self-defeating cycle highlights the fragile balance between technology and nature
the project invites visitors to rethink their relationship with the natural world and consider the unintended consequences of technological progress
image via @bulgarian.pavilion
name: Pseudonature commissioner: Alexander Staynov curator: Iassen Markov exhibitors: Technobeton
At the Venice Architecture Biennale 2025, Canada Pavilion unveils Picoplanktonics
an exploration of architecture’s relationship with biology
this pavilion reimagines the built environment as an active participant in natural processes
By working at the intersection of technology and the living world
the team envisions a future where architecture is not merely constructed but cultivated
alongside core team members Nicholas Hoban
Picoplanktonics brings together architects
and educators to explore alternative design methodologies.
name: Picoplanktonics commissioner: Canada Council for the Arts curator/exhibitor: Living Room Collective (Andrea Shin Ling
Vincent Hui and Clayton Lee) venue: Giardini
The Chilean Pavilion features Reflexive Intelligences
an exhibition that interrogates the territorial and material realities behind Artificial Intelligence
the exhibition asks: who truly gets to shape our technological future
The pavilion transforms the idea of a worktable into a space for open
It highlights the hidden ecological and social costs of AI
from mineral extraction to water consumption
and invites visitors to rethink the infrastructures that sustain technology
Through a critical lens rooted in the Global South
Reflexive Intelligences imagines new models of environmental dialogue
and shared intelligence for a more equitable future
and land,’ explains the curatorial team
‘This leads to a pressing question: who has the power to decide where and under what conditions these structures are built?’
image via @inteligencias_reflexivas
commissioner: Cristóbal Molina (Ministry of Cultures
The Cyprus Pavilion presents To the Stones – We Lent You Our Breath and You Whispered It Back to the Earth
an exhibition that explores the ancient art of drystone construction and its relevance in today’s world
and the Fisherwomxn collective (Miriam Gatt
the show delves into the interconnections between ecological practices
The exhibition focuses on how the act of building with stones reflects a long history of sustainable practices that resist modern systems of ecological degradation
The project involves collaboration with local artisans from TERRACT Salamiou
and the public in a participatory process of building and reinterpreting the significance of these practices
name: (To the Stones) We Lent You Our Breath and You Whispered It Back to the Earth
Cultural Officer at the Department of Contemporary Culture of the Deputy Ministry of Culture
exhibitor: Terract Salamiou (Argyris Panayiotou
The Danish Pavilion features Build of Site, a live, dynamic exhibition by architect Søren Pihlmann
Collaborating with leading institutions such as the Royal Danish Academy
the exhibition transforms the pavilion into a real-time case study on material reuse and sustainable design
Build of Site demonstrates how advanced techniques and bio-based binders can revitalize materials from the existing building
challenging the notion of waste in construction
By integrating local resources and cutting-edge methods
the exhibition highlights the potential of existing materials to shape future architectural practices
‘We’ve already created everything we need
That’s why we must be better at understanding and finding value in what already exists,’ Pihlmann emphasizes
Through a combination of sensory experiences
the pavilion aims to serve as a call to action for architects
and builders around the world to rethink how we can use what we already have to create a more sustainable built environment
Through the Danish pavilion’s transformation into a live construction site
visitors witness firsthand how this new approach can shape the future of architectural practice
The Pavilion of Egypt brings forth Let’s Grasp the Mirage
and progress for the Architecture Biennale 2025
Drawing inspiration from the fragile ecosystems of Egypt’s oases
the pavilion transforms these landscapes into a metaphor for global sustainability challenges
the exhibition invites visitors to engage in a game of equilibrium—where every action influences the relationship between tradition and transformation
Let’s Grasp the Mirage reimagines architecture as a living system that responds to environmental and societal pressures
image via Egyptian Pavilion Venice Biennale 2025
name: Let’s Grasp the Mirage – A Game of Delicate Balance from a Small Egyptian Oasis to a Big Planet commissioner: Egyptian Ministry of Culture – Academy of Egypt curators/exhibitors: Salah Zikri
At the upcoming Venice Architecture Biennale, Estonia showcases Let Me Warm You
a thought-provoking installation and exhibition exploring the deeper implications of insulation-driven renovations
the pavilion questions whether such renovations are merely a bureaucratic necessity or an opportunity to enhance both spatial and social aspects of mass housing
Set against the backdrop of Venice’s historic architecture
the installation clads a Venetian facade with insulation panels
mirroring the widespread renovation practices in Estonia
an indoor exhibition space wrapped in plastic film explores the social forces shaping these decisions
highlighting the tensions between ambitious climate policies and the lived realities of residents
Tartu Annelinn © Andres Tarto collection Estonian Architecture Museum
Finland presents The Pavilion – Architecture of Stewardship
examining the often-overlooked labour that sustains our built environment
Curated by architects Ella Kaira and Matti Jänkälä
the project highlights the collective efforts behind architecture—from the initial vision of designers and engineers to the hands-on care of construction workers
originally designed by Alvar and Elissa Aalto
the exhibition seeks to challenge the myth of the solitary architectural genius
it casts a spotlight on the many contributors who have ensured the Pavilion’s continued presence since its construction in 1956
Through an immersive audio-visual installation by Merle Karp and Jussi Hertz
visitors are invited to experience the layered stories of stewardship embedded in the building’s walls
name: The Pavilion – Architecture of Stewardship commissioner: Katarina Siltavuori
Archinfo – Information Centre for Finnish Architecture curators: Ella Kaira
Matti Jänkälä exhibitors: Merle Karp
The JAKOB+MACFARLANE agency represents France with its project Vivre avec / Living with
The exhibition explores architecture’s potential to respond to contemporary challenges such as climate change
The concept invokes three intelligences: nature
Vivre avec / Living with aims to create a spatial device that engages with the surroundings while complementing the ongoing restoration of the French Pavilion
The curatorial team proposes a lightweight
reusable structure imagined as an inclusive shelter—an open laboratory that doubles as a space for exhibitions
promoting a new form of architectural engagement with its context
Due to major renovation works on the French Pavilion
the national participation is presented as an exterior project
deployed around the pavilion rather than within
The project is framed as a collective research effort
with each participating architecture team proposing ongoing or built projects that align with the theme of Vivre avec—a new kind of architecture that embraces collaboration with its environment and emphasizes sustainability
perspective exterior courtesy of JAKOB+MACFARLAN
operator of the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Culture
curators: Dominique Jakob and Brendan MacFarlane
Martin Duplantier Architectes; AIR Architectures
BC Architects & Studies & Materials
Boonserm Premthada (Bangkok Project Studio)
Andrés Jaque/Office for Political Innovation + Miguel Mesa del Castillo
atelier philippemadec / (apm) & associés
Sou Fujimoto Architects; Akihisa Hirata Architecture Office
École nationale supérieure d’architecture de Paris-La Villette
École nationale supérieure d’architecture de Marseille
Université Française d’Égypte
Southern California Institute of Architecture
École Africaine des Métiers de l’Architecture et de l’Urbanisme
Confronting one of the most pressing challenges of our time, the German Pavilion at the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale unveils STRESSTEST: Adapting to Extreme Heat—an exhibition that delves into the growing threat of climate-induced overheating
the project brings together expertise from architecture
and environmental research to explore how rising temperatures are reshaping life for humans
visitors encounter a series of sensory and spatial installations that examine the impacts of extreme heat—from strained infrastructure and urban discomfort to broader ecological stress
Drawing on scientific insight and design innovation
STRESSTEST presents adaptive strategies including climate-responsive materials
Commissioned by the Federal Ministry of Housing
the exhibition positions architecture as both witness to and agent in the climate emergency
thermal image Munich 2024 © STRESSTEST by Gustav Goetze
commissioners: Federal Ministry for Housing
Marking its continued presence on the global stage, Grenada returns to the Venice Architecture Biennale with Echoes of Knowledge: Reawakening the National Library
a deeply resonant project that reflects both a cultural reckoning and a hopeful act of renewal
Presented by the Grenada Arts Council and commissioned by Dr
the exhibition centers on the long-awaited restoration of the Grenada Public Library and National Archives—an iconic institution left unusable since Hurricane Ivan struck in 2004
the pavilion brings together architectural research
and cultural memory to envision a future-forward library rooted in local context
In line with the Biennale’s 2025 theme
the project reimagines the library not just as a building
but as a shared intellectual commons—an embodiment of inclusive intelligence shaped by its people
Hosted within the book-lined walls of La Toletta Spazioeventi in Venice
the exhibition unfolds across two interwoven threads: Meta-project and Symbol
led by Grenadian architect Irina Kostka Da Silva
explores architectural responses to Grenada’s climate
developed by Italian scholars Giulia Conti and Alessandro Virgilio Mosetti
delves into the symbolic weight of public architecture and its role in shaping collective identity
name: Echoes of Knowledge: Reawakening the National Library commissioner: Susan Mains curators: Luisa Flora e Fulvio Caputo exhibitors: Irina Kostka
Giulia Conti and Alessandro Virgilio Mosetti venue: La Toletta Spazioeventi
the Holy See Pavilion will be hosted within the Santa Maria Ausiliatrice Complex in Castello
during the 19th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia
the initiative is led by the Dicastery for Culture and Education
will transform the site into a vibrant cultural hub throughout the Biennale
Curated by architect and researcher Marina Otero Verzier and Giovanna Zabotti, artistic director of Fondaco Italia, the project engages two acclaimed international practices—Tatiana Bilbao ESTUDIO and MAIO Architects —known for their work on socially conscious
The concept for Opera Aperta positions the pavilion as a live construction site
not only physically but also socially—where building repair and community healing happen simultaneously
Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça
describes it as a ‘pavilion-parable’—a metaphorical and material restoration project that embodies the principles of Laudato si’
the papal encyclical on ecological and social justice.
name: Opera aperta commissioner: Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça
Prefect of the Holy See’s Dicastery for Culture and Education curators: Marina Otero Verzier
Giovanna Zabotti exhibitors: Tatiana Bilbao Estudio
MAIO Architects venue: Complesso di Santa Maria Ausiliatrice
With a wink and a warning, Hungary’s contribution to the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale arrives under the title There Is Nothing to See Here. Far from empty, the exhibition probes deep questions about the purpose and limits of architectural practice today. Curated by Márton Pintér and presented by the Ludwig Museum – Museum of Contemporary Art in Budapest
the pavilion challenges the assumption that architects must always build—inviting us instead to consider architecture as a broader cultural force
Inside the walls of a once-active architecture studio
the show reveals an alternative vision of the profession—one where architects apply their training to activism
Through the research of Júlia Böröndy
and a bold visual identity by Gergely Lukács Szőke
the exhibition becomes a layered narrative of refusal
An RGB-coded system threads through the installation: red for architects who have stepped away from conventional practice
and blue for student commentaries reflecting on the evolving identity of the discipline
echoing the Biennale’s central theme Intelligens by celebrating intelligence that resists commodification
Director Ludwig Museum – Museum of Contemporary Art
Ádám Somlai-Fischer and family
the pavilion invites us to imagine a future shaped not by scarcity
but by the creative rethinking of natural forces
Lavaforming presents a speculative yet grounded scenario in which molten lava—once feared for its destructive power—is reengineered as a regenerative material
Drawing parallels to Iceland’s historic embrace of geothermal energy
the exhibition positions lava as a potential cornerstone for sustainable urbanism
the earth’s most primal energy becomes a tool for renewal
offering alternatives to extractive mining and carbon-intensive construction
Lavaforming proposal for the Venice Architecture Biennale | rendering © s.ap architects
curators: Arnhildur Pálmadóttir
the project expands the meaning of ‘assembly’ beyond the physical to encompass the political
At the heart of the exhibition is a reflection on Ireland’s Citizens’ Assembly—an internationally recognized model of inclusive democratic dialogue
the pavilion explores the architecture of gathering: What kinds of spaces foster real connection
How can built environments support collective decision-making
Assembly unfolds as a richly layered collaboration
Architects Cotter & Naessens work alongside sound artist David Stalling
and curator Luke Naessens to create an immersive spatial experience shaped by voice
Visitors enter a carefully tuned environment where spoken word and spatial form interact in call-and-response
echoing both Irish oral traditions and the Venetian cori spezzati
courtesy of Cotter & Naessens Architects
commissioners: Culture Ireland in partnership with the Arts Council of Ireland
curators: Cotter & Naessens Architects
exhibitor: Cotter & Naessens Architects with Luke Naessens
Italy’s national contribution to the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale navigates the shifting edge between land and water with TERRÆ AQUÆ
the exhibition sets its sights on the Mediterranean and surrounding oceans—not as borders
TERRÆ AQUÆ challenges traditional notions of territory
inviting a redefinition of coastlines as spaces of flux
Anchored in Italy’s deep maritime heritage
the pavilion aligns with global conversations around sustainability
proposing new architectural approaches for coastal cities and fragile ecosystems facing the pressure of rising seas and environmental change
L’Italia e l’intelligenza del mare
Japan steps into the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale with IN-BETWEEN – A Future with Generative AI
an exhibition that probes the evolving relationship between human imagination and machine intelligence
Curated by architect Jun Aoki and presented by The Japan Foundation
the pavilion explores the Japanese concept of ma—a subtle space of pause
and potential—as both a design philosophy and a framework for collaboration with generative AI
Informed by the contributions of a multidisciplinary team including designers Asako Fujikura
the project reimagines the pavilion itself as a site of experimentation
where the boundaries between authorship and algorithm blur
The exhibition invites visitors to consider how architecture might evolve in tandem with artificial intelligence—not as a tool for efficiency alone
but as a creative partner that opens new realms of possibility
Positioned within the broader theme of Intelligens
Japan’s pavilion proposes an architecture of coexistence
where generative systems expand the space between intuition and innovation
concept image of renovation of the Japan Pavilion in Venice | courtesy of Asako Fujikura + Takahiro Ohmura
SUNAKI (Toshikatsu Kiuchi and Taichi Sunayama)
The Pavilion of the Republic of Kosovo exhibits Lulebora nuk çel më
an immersive installation by architect and curator Erzë Dinarama
rooted in fieldwork with farmers across Kosovo
the show examines how ecological and epistemic ruptures
are reconfiguring agricultural rhythms and embodied knowledge
As staple crops falter and unfamiliar ones emerge
farmers grapple with a collapsing sense of seasonal time
This disorientation is translated into the pavilion through tactile and olfactory media including a floor layered with contrasting soils from Kosovar plains and a scent-based calendar that maps farming cycles through smell rather than date
sensory cues that resist quantification yet carry deep ecological meaning
Emerging Assemblages foregrounds the affective and material consequences of a transforming landscape
inviting visitors to attune to what eludes measurement
they index the lived experience of environmental uncertainty
the olfactory calendar forms a relational archive of change
marking thresholds like vanishing crops or delayed bloom
By centering hyperlocal knowledge and intimate sensing practices
the exhibition posits rupture not only as loss but as a site for reorientation.
research material for the Kosovo Pavilion at the 19th International Architecture Exhibition | image courtesy of Erzë Dinarama
name: Emerging Assemblages: Navigating Shifting Ecologies
Marking its sixth participation at the Venice Architecture Biennale, Kuwait presents Kaynuna, an exhibition commissioned by the National Council for Culture, Arts, and Literature (NCCAL)
Positioned within the 2025 edition’s overarching theme of Intelligens
the pavilion reflects on the layered interplay of space
and materiality in shaping Kuwait’s built environment—one shaped as much by cultural heritage as by rapid modernisation
Kaynuna examines the tensions between preservation and progress
where vernacular traditions risk erasure amid a preference for demolition over adaptation
Through an analytical and speculative lens
the pavilion charts Kuwait’s architectural trajectory
proposing a framework for reclamation that merges sustainable practice with deeply rooted cultural values
Curated as a process rather than a static display
the exhibition introduces a hybrid methodology that redefines architectural identity beyond surface aesthetics
intentional growth—one that positions local knowledge
and socio-political consciousness at the centre of future development
name: Kaynuna commissioner: Abdulaziz AI-Mazeedi (Head of Design and Planning Division of the NCCAL curators: Hamad Alkhaleefi
Mohammad Kassem exhibitors: Ahmad Almutawa
The Latvian Pavilion presents LANDSCAPE OF DEFENCE
a thought-provoking exhibition that explores the complex intersection of geopolitical tensions
and the lived experiences of those along NATO’s eastern border
Curated by Liene Jākobsone and Ilka Ruby
and designed by Sampling and Nomad architects
the exhibition offers a rare spatial and social perspective on Latvia’s fortified frontier with Russia and Belarus
In a time of escalating border fortifications due to geopolitical conflicts
LANDSCAPE OF DEFENCE interrogates how military strategies reshape landscapes
The exhibition invites visitors to engage in a dialogue between architectural discourse and military planning
bringing to light the poetic yet disquieting presence of defence structures such as anti-tank hedgehogs and dragon’s teeth
‘It’s about transforming fear into reassurance,’ says Jākobsone
‘National defence is a continuous process that must be understood and embraced.’ Ruby further reflects
‘Borders leave lasting marks on cities and landscapes
we see how fortifications are actively shaping contemporary spatial and social realities,’ drawing comparisons to Berlin’s post-Cold War urban transformation.
Girls | image by Elīna Kursīte
The Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia
curators: Liene Jākobsone & Ilka Ruby
Liene Jākobsone) & NOMAD (Marija Katrīna Dambe
For its participation in the 19th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia
a critical and speculative project that repositions architecture as a tool for environmental resistance
Commissioned by the Ministry of Culture and organized by the Lebanese Federation of Engineers
the pavilion responds to the theme of Intelligens with an activist approach rooted in land
Curated by the Collective for Architecture Lebanon (CAL)
The Land Remembers introduces a fictional institution—the Ministry of Land Intelligens—tasked with documenting
and healing the layered violences inflicted on Lebanon’s landscape
the pavilion asserts that before architecture
Structured around four conceptual departments—Ecocide Reports
and Strategic Healing—the exhibition mobilizes tools of investigation
Each space acts as both archive and proposition
confronting visitors with the scale of destruction while offering tangible frameworks for restoration rooted in indigenous knowledge and ecological care
Materialized through bricks made of compacted soil and wheat seeds—symbols of both memory and resilience—the pavilion transforms over time
name: The Land Remembers commissioner: Jad Tabet (Ministry of Culture) curators: Collective For Architecture Lebanon (CAL): Edouard Souhaid
Lynn Chamoun exhibitors: Karim Emile Bitar
Mohamed Choucair Earth Preservation Project
Nathalie El Mir venue: Arsenale – Sala d’Armi First Floor
Departing from conventional narratives of sustainability, Architecture of Trees: From Indigenous Roots is Lithuania’s contribution to the 19th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia
Curated by architect Gintaras Balčytis and commissioned by researcher Jūratė Tutlytė
the project is organized by the Architects’ Association of Lithuania and examines how architecture can coexist with—and even grow from—living ecosystems
Anchored in the principles of the European Green Deal and the New European Bauhaus
the exhibition critiques greenwashing while advocating for design rooted in indigenous knowledge and ecological care
It reframes trees not as obstacles to construction but as co-authors of the built environment
Through spatial and audiovisual interventions by Lina Pranaitytė
the pavilion immerses visitors in speculative futures where architecture is shaped in dialogue with existing landscapes
it proposes a reimagining of urban development that prioritizes biodiversity
image via @aiaftlchapter
commissioners: Jūratė Tutlytė
Lina Pranaitytė & Urtė Pakers (‘Bionics’)
Reorienting architectural discourse toward the auditory, Sonic Investigations is Luxembourg’s official contribution to the 19th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia
the project delves into the sonic landscape of Luxembourg’s territory
using sound as a medium to examine the Anthropocene and its spatial consequences
inviting visitors to experience architecture through immersive listening
Drawing inspiration from John Cage’s 4’33”
it proposes an altered way of perceiving place—one that captures ecological
embodied experience that redefines the boundaries of space and perception
Through field recordings and acoustic mappings
Sonic Investigations calls for a heightened sensitivity to soundscapes
challenging visitors to engage with architecture not as a static form
commissioners: Kultur | lx- Arts Council Luxembourg and luca – Luxembourg Center for Architecture
on behalf of the Luxembourg Ministry of Culture
Montenegro presents Terram intelligere: INTERSTITIUM by Ivan Šuković
and Emir Šehanović at the 19th Venice Architecture Biennale 2025
The project responds to the theme ‘Understanding the Land’ by exploring Montenegro’s cultural concept of međe—traditional spatial boundaries
Floating polycarbonate structures form a speculative landscape between art and science
populated with bacteria sampled from local sites
These living forms act as mediators between species
offering a space for intergenerational and interspecies dialogue
Positioned as both installation and research platform
the project imagines architecture as a responsive organism—one that listens
and grows from the unseen processes of the land
image via @montenegropavilion
name: Terram intelligere: INTERSTITIUM commissioner: Mirjana Đurišić curator: Miljana Zeković venue: ArteNova Campo San Lorenzo 5063
The Nordic Countries Pavilion introduces Industry Muscle: Five Scores for Architecture at the 19th Venice Architecture Biennale 2025
Created by performance artist Teo Ala-Ruona and a multidisciplinary team
the exhibition uses the trans body as a lens to critique architecture’s entanglement with fossil-fueled norms
Set within Sverre Fehn’s iconic modernist pavilion
Industry Muscle unfolds as five speculative scores—performative
Each one invites visitors to reconsider the built environment as a stage where power
Nordic Countries Pavilion | image by Åke E:son Lindman
Architecture & Design Museum Helsinki (Finland)
exhibitor: Teo Ala-Ruona and collaborators
At the 19th Venice Architecture Biennale, Nieuwe Instituut presents SIDELINED: A Space to Rethink Togetherness at the Dutch Pavilion
Developed with curator Amanda Pinatih and social designer Gabriel Fontana
the project reimagines the sports bar as a site to question how architecture reinforces or resists exclusion
SIDELINED flips the norms of competitive sport to open up space for empathy
along with a multidisciplinary team including designer Koos Breen and artist Jeannette Slütter
challenges the architectural systems that govern bodies and behaviors—asking how play can become a tool for collective rethinking
Anonymous Allyship (2025) by Gabriel Fontana | image by Giovanni Pellegrini
name: SIDELINED: A Space to Rethink Togetherness commissioner: Aric Chen
Nieuwe Instituut curator: Amanda Pinatih exhibitors: Gabriel Fontana with Alice Wong and Luca Soudant venue: Giardini
Oman makes its debut at the 19th Venice Architecture Biennale with a national pavilion exploring the theme ‘Integrating Human and Artificial Intelligence Technologies in Architecture.’ Curated by engineer Majda Al Hana’ee and commissioned by Sayyid Said bin Sultan Al Busaidi
the project reflects Oman’s growing cultural presence on the global stage
the pavilion highlights the country’s architectural identity
and ambition to engage with emerging technologies and global design discourse—aligning with Oman Vision 2040 and its broader goals in cultural diplomacy
name: Integrating Human and Artificial Intelligence Technologies in Architecture commissioner: Sayyid Saeed bin Sultan bin Yarub Al Busaidi
Sports and Youth for Culture curator: Majda Al Hana’ee
the pavilion highlights Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate change and emphasizes the inequities of the global climate crisis
the pavilion symbolizes the endurance and fragility of natural systems under human-induced pressures
it portrays the paradoxes of the climate crisis while advocating for localized
name: (Fr)Agile Systems commissioners: Muhammad Arif Changezi (Pakistan Council of Architects and Town Planners) curators/exhibitors: Anique Azhar
Andamio Vivo / Living Scaffolding, led by architect Alex Hudtwalcker, represents the Peruvian Pavilion at the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale
The project combines ancestral knowledge and materials from the Uros community of Lake Titicaca with the legacy of the 1988 Uru Expedition
symbolizing a fusion of floating and navigating intelligence
and the potential of traditional practices in contemporary architecture
With support from architects Sebastián Cillóniz
Andamio Vivo highlights Peru’s rich cultural heritage and its relevance in modern architectural discourse
image via @living_scaffolding
commissioners: José Orrego curators/exhibitors: Alex Hudtwalcker
The Polish Pavilion at the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale
artists Krzysztof Maniak and Katarzyna Przezwańska
presents Lares And Penates: About Building a Sense of Security in Architecture
The exhibition explores the intersection of safety and security in architecture
blending local Polish traditions with modern regulatory elements
It contrasts functional objects like fire extinguishers and cameras with centuries-old rituals
highlighting their shared role in fostering resilience in an ever-changing world
drawings by Maciej Siuda for the exhibition at the Polish Pavilion
name: Lares and Penates: On Building a Sense of Security in Architecture
Katarzyna Przezwańska and Maciej Siuda
marking the first newly constructed pavilion at the historic site in nearly three decades
Qatar previews the site with a bamboo community center designed by Yasmeen Lari
on view at the Giardini as a gesture toward architecture rooted in resilience and collective care
the exhibition reflects on hospitality as a global condition shaped by shifting planetary and social realities
La mia casa è la tua casa commissioner: Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani curators: Aurélien Lemonier
Jean-François Zevaco venue: Giardini and Palazzo Franchetti San Marco 2847
Human Scale
represents Romania at the 19th International Architecture Exhibition in Venice
A collaboration between artist Vlad Nancă and Muromuro Studio
the exhibition bridges visual arts and architecture
exploring the role of human presence in 20th-century architectural drawings and their relevance to the 21st century
Nancă’s work transforms architectural sketches into human-scale sculptures
emphasizing the emotional and symbolic power of architecture
Through a chronological display of drawings and historical maps
the project examines how architecture shapes collective identity and reflects political power
Muromuro Studio’s immersive installation blurs boundaries with translucent walls
inviting visitors to rethink their relationship with the built environment
Human Scale runs from May 10 to November 23
at the Romanian Pavilion and the New Gallery of the Romanian Institute of Culture and Humanistic Research
drawing of the Veterinary Medicine Pavilion of the Agronomic Institute (Cluj)
exhibitor: Vlad Nancă & Muromuro Studio (Ioana Chifu
venue: Giardini e New Gallery of Istituto Romeno di Cultura e Ricerca Umanistica (Palazzo Correr
focusing on the displacement of Najdi architecture in central Riyadh
the exhibition explores the layered histories of the city while fostering a new architectural education ecosystem in Saudi Arabia
it advocates for participatory frameworks that integrate vernacular knowledge and push for sustainable urban futures
The Pursuit of Site 2021 | image courtesy Syn Architects
name: The Um Slaim School: An Architecture of Connection
commissioners: Architecture and Design Commission
exhibitor: Sara Alissa and Nojoud Alsudairi
Curated by Ana Kosi and Ognen Arsov, Master Builders at the Slovenian Pavilion examines the evolving relationship between architect, craftsman, and construction in the age of digital and robotic building technologies. The exhibition emphasizes the indispensable role of tacit knowledge—the embodied
intuitive intelligence of skilled craftspeople—in shaping high-quality architecture
the pavilion argues that architecture’s material realization still hinges on human judgment
and manual dexterity on the construction site
the Slovenian pavilion reflects on our on-site experience
KIP (Kosi and Partners) is an architectural design studio
and when our projects go to the construction site so do we
and our experience has shown that the quality and development of architecture depend on the presence of experienced craftspeople on the site,’ shares Ana Kosi
when skilled craftsmen are denied their worth and place in architecture
the Slovenian pavilion calls for a different perspective
We believe that the work of master builders should be recognized as the key intelligence component in the construction process.’
The installation centers on four handcrafted totems
constructed in close collaboration between architects and master builders using real-world site processes and tools
Accompanied by a large-format documentary video
these totems serve as physical manifestations of craftsmanship and as symbols of mastery that transcend individual identity
Master Builders is further expanded through a richly layered catalogue and a symposium
offering a critical reflection on contemporary architectural production in Slovenia and proposing a renewed appreciation for the cognitive and cultural value of manual building practices
image by Klemen Ilovar
name: Master Builders commissioner: Maja Vardjan curators: Ana Kosi and Ognen Arsov venue: Arsenale
The Korean Pavilion at the 19th Venice Architecture Biennale celebrates its 30th anniversary with Little Toad
Curated by the Curating Architecture Collective (CAC)—Chung Dahyoung
and Jung Sungkyu—the exhibition invites reflection on the pavilion’s architectural evolution and its future
The exhibition features new works by four artists and architects who reinterpret the space through site-specific installations
Each project explores the layered histories of the Korean Pavilion and its role within the context of La Biennale di Venezia
while also addressing broader themes of sustainability and transformation
Participating artists include Kim Hyunjong
Curated by Roi Salgueiro and Manuel Bouzas, Internalities at the Spanish Pavilion explores the intersection of architecture
The exhibition highlights how architecture can balance ecology with economy through projects that incorporate local
The exhibition is divided into five themes—materials
and emissions—each connected to a different region of the Iberian Peninsula
Internalities traces the journey of these materials from their origins in forests
offering insights into decarbonization practices
TAKK | image © Jose Hevia
commissioners: MIVAU (Ministry of Housing and Urban Agenda)
AECID (Spanish Agency for lnternational Development Cooperation)
AC/E (Acción Cultural Española)
the exhibition reimagines the pavilion through the perspective of Lisbeth Sachs
The focus is on reconstructing elements of Sachs’ 1958 SAFFA Pavilion to explore the role of women in shaping architectural history and the evolving notion of inclusivity in design
The exhibition intertwines soundscapes created from field recordings and site-specific interactions
offering visitors an immersive sensory experience
This approach connects contemporary design with historical memory
reflecting on architecture’s collaborative and responsible role in advancing social and environmental equity
The project examines how design can contribute to a more inclusive and sustainable future
With the exhibition title, the curators quote a note that the architect Lisbeth Sachs made on a plan for her art gallery at the swiss exhibition | image © gta Archive ETH Zurich
name: Endgültige Form wird von der Architektin am Bau bestimmt
commissioners: Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia: Sandi Paucic
The Togo Pavilion debuts with Considering Togo’s Architectural Heritage, an exhibition curated by Studio NEiDA
the architecture and research duo of Jeanne Autran-Edorh and Fabiola Büchele
the exhibition marks the Republic of Togo’s inaugural participation in the Biennale
It traces the country’s architectural trajectory from ancient techniques to post-independence modernist landmarks
opening a dialogue between indigenous building traditions
With a focus on both conservation and transformation
the exhibition repositions Togo’s built environment as a vital archive of memory and a source of design innovation
the pavilion explores the layered materiality of West Africa’s architecture—from the sculptural forms of the Tatas Tamberma to the striking silhouettes of Hotel Sarakawa and the Bourse du Travail
while others stand as haunting ruins of an optimistic era
These juxtapositions invite reflection on the challenges and opportunities of preservation in the face of rapid change.
Hôtel de la Paix | image by Wody Yawo
name: Considering Togo’s architectural heritage commissioner: Sonia Lawson curators: Jeanne Autran-Edorh and Fabiola Büchele exhibitors: Palais de Lomé venue: Squero Castello
the Türkiye Pavilion delves into soil as an ecological and cultural archive
It highlights soil’s role as a living entity
Grounded explores how soil can bridge past civilizations with future sustainable practices
blending traditional construction methods with innovative research
Commissioned by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İKSV)
the pavilion stands out for its interdisciplinary approach and focus on ecological intelligence
The Türkiye Pavilion’s participation is supported by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism
under the auspices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
with co-sponsorship from Schüco Türkiye and VitrA
(January 2025) & Karadere Mining Field (October 2023)
from multimedia installation Gods of Latmos
commissioners: Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İKSV)
Unveiled at the 19th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia, DAKH (ДАХ): Vernacular Hardcore transforms the Ukrainian Pavilion into a poignant architecture of resistance and resilience
the exhibition merges the ‘heritage vernacular’ of traditional Ukrainian village roofs with the raw
self-built ingenuity of wartime reconstruction
Anchored by a sculptural reinterpretation of a vernacular roof—DAKH—the pavilion draws from a 50-year multi-generational archive of Ukrainian domestic architecture
and embeds it with the grit of post-invasion survival
Each element of the installation—from an AI avatar of ethnographer Tamara Kosmina to the immersive Drone Canopy—threads together cultural memory
DAKH is a living document of Ukraine’s ongoing reconstitution in the face of relentless aerial assault
The project frames the roof not just as shelter
and Kyiv’s buzzing drone-makers converge in a spatial tapestry that blurs the boundaries between war
With its nomadic extension—Planetary Hardcore—the pavilion positions Ukraine as both subject and interlocutor in a global conversation on rebuilding amid conflict
foregrounding a new kind of architecture: one forged in crisis
and driven by the urgent need to shelter not just bodies
visualization | image courtesy of Bohdana Kosmina
name: DAKH (ДАХ): Vernacular Hardcore
commissioners: Tetyana Filevska (Creative Director of the Ukrainian Institute)
The Pavilion of the United Arab Emirates at the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale features Pressure Cooker
curated by Emirati architect and scholar Azza Aboualam
This exhibition examines the evolving relationship between architecture and food production in the UAE
sustainable solutions for arid environments
Pressure Cooker explores themes of self-sufficiency
reimagining the greenhouse for extreme climates
and tackling global food security challenges exacerbated by climate change
The pavilion highlights existing food-growing infrastructures in the UAE
ranging from traditional methods to advanced technologies
and showcases a series of greenhouse models designed for integration into urban environments
and sustainability can address critical issues such as food security
Pressure Cooker invites visitors to consider how architecture can be mobilized to ensure greater food security
with the UAE serving as a case study for future solutions in similar climates
Greenhouses in Hatta, Dubai. Pressure Cooker, 2024. Image courtesy of National Pavilion UAE – La Biennale di Venezia | image by Ola Allouz | @olaallouzstudio
commissioners: Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation
The British Pavilion at the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale showcases GBR – Geology of Britannic Repair
exploring how architecture can reverse the colonial legacies of geological extraction through emerging practices of architectural repair
Curated by Kabage Karanja and Stella Mutegi from Cave_bureau
the exhibition centers on the Great Rift Valley
and the Palestine Regeneration Team (Yara Sharif
and Murray Fraser) highlight earth-based vernaculars that propose solutions for planetary repair and renewal
British Pavilion | image by John Riddy
commissioners: Sevra Davis British Council
The US Pavilion at the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale
titled PORCH: An Architecture of Generosity
is commissioned by the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design at the University of Arkansas
in collaboration with DesignConnects and Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
and creatives to examine the porch as a quintessential American architectural element
The exhibition explores the porch’s multifaceted role in American architecture as both a social and environmental space
In alignment with the 2025 Biennale’s theme Intelligens: Natural
it emphasizes architecture’s ability to address climate change and foster collective renewal
The pavilion features more than 50 installations
that interpret the porch across various scales
and activities in the courtyard of the US pavilion looking northeast into the Giardini della Biennale | rendering by Luxigon
courtesy the co-commissioners of the US pavilion
name: PORCH: An Architecture of Generosity
Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design
University of Arkansas exhibitors: Marlon Blackwell Architects (Marlon Blackwell
D.I.R.T Studio TEN x TEN Studio (Julie Bargmann; Maura Rockcastle
Stephen Burks Man Made (Stephen Burks; Malika Leiper / principals)
Jonathan Boelkins – AIA,Charlie Hailey- RA
University of Arkansas Community Design Center
Places Journal and 50 individual exhibitors venue: Giardini
The 53,86% Uruguay, Land of Water exhibition at the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale investigates the profound connection between architecture
where maritime territory exceeds land territory
the pavilion examines water not only as a natural resource but as a cultural and historical cornerstone of Uruguay’s development
The exhibition addresses the growing challenges of water conservation and management in the age of the Hydrocene
a period where the way humanity interacts with water determines its future
By focusing on how architecture can address these challenges through sustainable infrastructure and urban planning
the pavilion highlights innovative design solutions that promote water conservation and efficient use
The immersive installation presents water as both a physical and metaphorical element
creating an environment that evokes the forces of nature through sound
and recorded stories invite visitors to contemplate the role of water in shaping urban spaces and societies
name: 53,86% Uruguay: Land of Water commissioner: Facundo de Almeida curators: Katia Sei Fong
Luis Sei Fong exhibitor: SEI FONG venue: Giardini
The A Matter of Radiance exhibition at the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale showcases Uzbekistan’s modernist scientific legacy
focusing on the Sun Institute of Material Science near Tashkent
Curated by Ekaterina Golovatyuk and Giacomo Cantoni of GRACE
and commissioned by the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation (ACDF)
the pavilion explores the institute’s significance as one of only two large solar furnaces in the world for studying material behavior under extreme temperatures
The show reflects on the dual nature of the institute—both a grand Soviet-era vision and an architectural and scientific landmark that never fully realized its potential
examining its relevance to contemporary science
The pavilion reconstructs key components of the institute through fragments transported from Uzbekistan and newly created installations
integrating them into a wider dialogue on preservation
Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation
The 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale features eleven official collateral events
adding to the global dialogue of the exhibition
Hosted by international non-profit institutions
these events span diverse locations across Venice and bring fresh
often interdisciplinary perspectives to architecture’s evolving role in society
From Catalonia’s Water Parliaments to UNESCO’s exploration of visitor experiences at heritage sites
each contribution adds depth and nuance to the central exhibition
Dive into the full lineup of this year’s collateral events
Taiwan responds to a world shaped by speed
and control with NON-Belief: Taiwan Intelligens of Precarity—a spatial investigation into how architecture can adapt to instability and resist dominant narratives of technological progress
Curated by Cheng-Luen Hsueh and a team from National Cheng Kung University
the exhibition is presented by the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts at Palazzo delle Prigioni
Referencing the Biennale’s theme and inspired by Robert Smithson’s idea of ‘non-sites,’ this collateral event explores Taiwan’s unique ‘non-beliefs’—its skeptical stance on high-speed development
collective intelligence shaped by the island’s precarious geography and layered histories
the exhibition reimagines Taiwan’s built environment as a series of contact zones—ecological
A central ‘Island’ installation
illuminated with fragments of digital light and layered with sectional slices of Taiwan’s tectonic terrain
Surrounding this are twelve research-based models
exploring architecture’s response to climate justice
NON-Belief positions Taiwan as both subject and agent in rethinking architecture’s role in a fractured world
H2O Studio NON Belief in TECHisland (exhibition space) 2024 E-paper
Steel Structure Digital rendering and laser cutting | courtesy of National Taiwan Museum of Fine Art
what: Non-Belief: Taiwan Intelligens of Precarity where: Palazzo delle Prigioni
Venice when: 10 May – 23 November 2025
At the 19th Venice Architecture Biennale, the Architectural Association (AA) and Nigel Coates unveil Margherissima—a radical reimagining of Venice’s industrial outskirts as a thriving
collective neighborhood for the climate-conscious citizens of tomorrow
Set within the Polveriera Austriaca at Forte Marghera
the installation transforms a contaminated site known as I Pili into a walkable urban model
suspended above the floor on a 12-meter lightbox and brought to life through video
and intricate architectural models at 1:250 scale
Created in collaboration with students and the experimental makers at Grymsdyke Farm
and bronze—lit in a cycle that simulates the passing of time
Responding to Carlo Ratti’s curatorial theme Intelligens
Margherissima explores how Marghera—currently defined by chemical plants and heavy infrastructure—might evolve into a ‘social battery’ for the Venetian lagoon
the project proposes a grounded and provocative urban vision that values community over spectacle
Coates calls it both a physical model and a conceptual template for cities threatened by rising seas
while AA director Ingrid Schroder frames it as a powerful expression of the school’s collective imagination
The project is curated by Nigel Coates Studio with installation by (ab)Normal Studio
and is accompanied by a series of events at the Arsenale
Margherissima Film Still Pili fication by John Maybury
what: Margherissima by the Architectural Association and Nigel Coates
At the Giardini della Marinaressa, unEarthed / Second Nature / PolliNATION emerges as a pollinator-centered installation led by Virginia Tech Honors College and Cloud 9 Architecture for the 19th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia
the project draws from Venice’s ecological history and explores interspecies architecture as a strategy for restoring human-nature relationships
the pavilion incorporates over 60 types of plants and 10 pollinator species to cultivate a living garden
transforming the lagoon city’s edge into a fertile testbed for biocentric design
The installation is complemented by student-led research and design proposals on food security
as well as Cloud 9’s recent international works exhibited at Palazzo Bembo
The initiative positions architecture as a mutagen—referencing Biennale curator Carlo Ratti’s call for transformative
ecological thinking—while a symposium moderated by Aaron Betsky invites voices like Elizabeth Diller
and Maria Lisogorskaya to speculate on the future of organic architecture.
render of pavillion unEarthed / Second Nature / PolliNATION
what: unEarthed / Second Nature / PolliNATION where: Giardini della Marinaressa
The exhibition Water Parliaments: Projective Ecosocial Architectures explores the transformative potential of water in shaping the future of architecture and environmental governance
Presented by architects Eva Franch and Gilabert
this project investigates how water can be integrated into urban design
from materials and infrastructure to large-scale landscape interventions
the exhibition emphasizes water as a central element in architecture
calling for a collective reflection on the future of water governance and urban development
Through a series of innovative design proposals and interactive installations
the exhibition showcases water as an active participant in architecture
pushing the boundaries of traditional design to propose ecosocial solutions for a more sustainable future
The project aims to redefine how we engage with water in the built environment
Alejandro Muiño Laboratoris de Futurs 2025 film 24×13.5 | image by 15L Films
what: Water Parliaments: Projective Ecosocial Architectures
Deep Surfaces: Architecture to Enhance the Visitor Experience of UNESCO Sites delves into the evolving role of architecture in enriching the visitor experience at UNESCO-designated sites worldwide. Curated in collaboration with UNESCO
this exhibition highlights over 50 visitor centres—from new constructions to converted historical buildings—that showcase multifunctional designs enhancing site accessibility
With a focus on fostering sustainable development and global citizenship
the exhibition examines how architecture can serve as a tool for preserving heritage
and promoting social inclusion across the globe
the exhibition features interactive displays and immersive elements
including a Cloud installation symbolizing layers of inquiry into four key thematic areas: heritage interpretation
Visitors explore how these centres integrate context-specific solutions and innovative materials
an online extension provides further insights
inviting audiences to discover how architecture can play a pivotal role in the conservation and interpretation of UNESCO World Heritage sites
Architecture to Enhance the Visitor Experience of UNESCO Sites
The Fundació Mies van der Rohe, in partnership with Creative Europe, has opened the call for the EUmies Awards Young Talent 2025, inviting architecture, urban planning, and landscape architecture schools from Creative Europe countries to nominate the best master’s degree projects from recently graduated students. The award seeks to recognize and support emerging talent
highlighting innovative and transformative design proposals that showcase the future of our built environment
Submissions are evaluated by a prestigious jury
with the finalists’ works exhibited during the Biennale Architettura 2025 in Venice
The selected finalists are revealed in May 2025
and the winners are be announced during the EUmies Awards Day in Venice in June 2025
and recognition through a profile on World Architects
Their projects are also featured in the EUmies Awards Young Talent Traveling Exhibition
This initiative aims to provide a platform for the next generation of designers while contributing to the global dialogue around architecture and urban planning
image courtesy of Fundació Mies van der Rohe
The Macau Museum of Art is participating in the 19th Venice Architecture Biennale with its exhibition Parallel Worlds
which is part of the biennale’s parallel events programme
Organized by the Cultural Affairs Bureau of Macau
the exhibition is on display throughout the duration of the Biennale
This exhibition explores the dynamic relationship between natural and artificial environments
contributing to the biennale’s overarching theme Intelligens
It joins a diverse range of global voices and perspectives that aim to broaden the biennale’s discourse on the future of architecture and urbanism
Parallel Worlds is one of 11 selected events chosen by the biennale’s chief curator and approved by various non-profit organizations and institutions worldwide
It forms part of a rich programme of exhibitions
and discussions that enrich the Venice exhibition
which this year brings together 66 national representations
The exhibition showcases Macau’s unique approach to architecture and culture while engaging in broader conversations about ecological and technological issues in contemporary architectural practice
Projecting Future Heritage: A Hong Kong Archive is Hong Kong’s official contribution to the 19th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia, curated by Fai Au, Ying Zhou, and Sunnie S.Y. Lau. Presented by the Hong Kong Institute of Architects Biennale Foundation and the Hong Kong Arts Development Council, the exhibition reframes the city’s unsung public infrastructures
as vital blueprints for future urban resilience
Designed by SOSArchitecture and Urban Design Studio with renderings by Bobby Gangyi Zhou
the show responds to Carlo Ratti’s theme Intelligens
Collective by highlighting the collective intelligence embedded in postwar Hong Kong’s architecture
Set across the indoor and outdoor spaces of Campo della Tana in Venice
and ephemera to construct an immersive urban archive
built by Hong Kong shifu and designed with Architecture Land Initiative and BEAU Architects
pays tribute to a disappearing construction craft while connecting Hong Kong and Venice through their shared histories of trade
Choi Hung Road Municipal Services Building | image by Chris Lu
what: Projecting Future Heritage: A Hong Kong Archive
Rooted Transience reimagines the musalla—a sacred space for prayer—through a contemporary architectural lens. Curated by Faysal Tabbarah and presented by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation
the exhibition unfolds at the Abbazia di San Gregorio and features fragments from the winning AlMusalla Prize 2025 pavilion by EAST Architecture Studio in collaboration with artist Rayyane Tabet and structural engineers AKT II
and spirituality intersect in Islamic architectural traditions
Running parallel to the exhibition is a richly illustrated publication of the same name
edited by Prince Nawaf Bin Ayyaf and Tabbarah
The book brings together voices across the architectural and academic spectrum—Hanif Kara
and others—to reflect on the layered meanings and histories embedded within musalla spaces
Rooted Transience offers an evocative reading of sacred architecture as both rooted in tradition and open to transformation
image courtesy of Diriyah Biennale Foundation
what: Rooted Transience: AlMusalla Prize 2025
the exhibition explores the intersections of planetary computation
the show immerses visitors in a speculative exploration of how architecture can engage with the ecological transformation of the Earth
Antikythera’s installation draws on the ancient Antikythera mechanism to present Earth as a computational megastructure
MIT Architecture’s visionary proposals offer forty projects that address climate change
These works challenge traditional architectural practices and provide bold alternatives for architecture’s role in navigating the Anthropocene
positioning design as a critical tool in confronting global crises
Environment-Trouble by Mark Jarzombek | image courtesy of MIT Architecture
where: Palazzo Diedo – Berggruen Arts & Culture
SKYWALK serves as the architectural and conceptual centerpiece of 2030 Vision for Venice
proposing a new typology of public infrastructure that allows visitors to traverse the lagoon’s salt marshes without disturbing the delicate ecosystem beneath
the walkway winds through rewilded wetlands
offering elevated views of Venice’s shifting landscape while emphasizing the marshes’ ecological role as carbon sinks and buffers against rising sea levels
Its linear form echoes the natural geometry of tidal channels
more contemplative experience of the lagoon
Designed by RSHP in collaboration with Platform Earth
SKYWALK is more than a pedestrian path—it is a performative landscape intervention that fosters environmental literacy
and open platforms transform the structure into a living lab for marine science
image courtesy of Platform Earth
Jean Nouvel’s vision for the Fondation Cartier’s future spaces is showcased at the Fondazione Giorgio Cini in Venice, coinciding with the 2025 Architecture Biennale (find designboom’s coverage here)
The exhibition presents a large-scale sectional model of the new building
featuring five adjustable platforms that can be reconfigured to suit various layouts
and prototypes highlight the flexibility of the design
with notable features such as retractable ceilings and shifting guardrails
illustrating how the space adapts to both natural light and city views
As a continuation of Nouvel’s longstanding relationship with the Fondation Cartier
the exhibition emphasizes the dynamic connection between past and future architectural work
With the new Fondation Cartier building set to open in Paris in autumn 2025
the Venice exhibition offers a glimpse into the evolving role of museums as sites of architectural experimentation
A public program complements the exhibition
exploring how museums influence architectural practice
while a book documenting the design and challenges of Nouvel’s renovation project is revealed in conjunction with the Paris opening
rendering of platform 1 looking onto the Rue de Rivoli | image © Jean Nouvel/ADAGP
what: The Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain by Jean Nouvel
Opening during the 2025 Venice Biennale season, Fondazione Prada unveils Diagrams, an exhibition by AMO/OMA exploring the diagram as a cross-cultural and cross-temporal instrument of thought
On view from 10 May to 24 November at Ca’ Corner della Regina
the project brings together over 300 historical and contemporary artifacts—including rare manuscripts
and film—spanning from the 12th century to today
The show reflects on the diagram’s pervasive presence across science
highlighting its role in shaping knowledge and worldviews
from South African proto-diagrams to Greenlandic carved maps and contemporary data visualizations
Curated by Rem Koolhaas and Giulio Margheri with contributions from historian Sietske Fransen
the exhibition unfolds across the palazzo’s ground and first floors
organized around nine ‘now urgencies’: Built Environment
A central ‘meta-diagram’ room sets the conceptual tone
while lateral spaces delve deeper into subthemes through focused displays
the scenography mirrors the exhibition’s logic—layered
and analytical—inviting visitors to see diagrams as active agents in the construction of reality
Holcim partners with Pritzker Prize-winning architect Alejandro Aravena and his Chilean practice ELEMENTAL to debut a model for sustainable and resilient housing at the 2025 Venice Biennale of Architecture
Unveiled as part of the Time Space Existence exhibition organized by the European Cultural Centre (ECC)
the full-scale prototype will be on view from May 7 to November 23
The collaboration merges Aravena’s legacy in incremental
community-driven housing with Holcim’s cutting-edge low-carbon materials
an extensive range of low-emission concrete
Designed to address the global tension between the housing crisis and the climate emergency
the project proposes a scalable solution that aims to advance sustainable and resilient housing
‘If we don’t build billions of square meters
the humanitarian crisis escalates; but if we build
we worsen the environmental crisis,’ notes Aravena
‘That is why we are thrilled to partner with Holcim and test a prototype of their innovative carbon-neutral concrete solution
in an attempt to change gears towards a sustainable
what: Holcim x ELEMENTAL present new advance sustainable and resilient housing model
the European Cultural Centre (ECC) presents the seventh edition of Time Space Existence
a biennial exhibition that brings global architecture discourse back to Venice
Held across ECC’s venues — Palazzo Bembo
and the Marinaressa Gardens — the show gathers 207 participants from 52 countries
forming a diverse mosaic of design responses to today’s most urgent challenges.
and academics to reflect on the transformative power of architecture
and installations that interrogate how the discipline can contribute to ecological and social repair
Tactile Textures by DLR Group | image by Dan Cronin
what: Time Space Existence 2025 – ECC’s international architecture exhibition
when: 10 May – 23 November 2025 (Opening events: 8–9 May)
Organized by the Pinault Collection and curated by Caroline Bourgeois and James Lingwood
the exhibition traces Trouvé’s layered investigations into memory
and everyday objects transfigured into poetic forms
Her sculptures—ranging from suspended unrest-era debris to intimate domestic scenes—draw from her personal history and the sociopolitical context of her life in Paris
a monumental portal of sculpted roots and branches
which captures the aftermath of civic unrest through enlarged
visitors encounter over 70 drawings from the artist’s studio and the introspective room L’inventario
a bronze-cast reimagining of Trouvé’s workspace.
what: The Strange Life of Things by Tatiana Trouvé
Curated by Camille Morineau and Jean-Marie Gallais
the expansive show traces four decades of Schütte’s exploration of the human figure through 50 sculptures and over 150 previously unseen drawings
From the looming bronze figures of Mann im Wind (2018) to the satirical busts of Fratelli (2012)
the exhibition navigates a landscape of psychological intensity and physical vulnerability
Schütte’s grotesque male figures
often caught in moments of emotional collapse or existential fatigue
are counterbalanced by serene female forms—such as Aluminiumfrau Nr.17 (2009)—marked by calm
the exhibition defies chronology to emphasize Schütte’s ongoing experimentation with form and figuration
and ambiguous faces cohabit in an immersive environment that reflects the drama of public life and the introspection of private emotion
Thomas Schütte, Mann im Wind series, 2018 | image by Marco Cappelletti courtesy of Palazzo Grassi – Pinault Collection and Thomas Schütte
SMAC aims to challenge conventions and inspire public engagement through boundary-pushing content and interdisciplinary programming
The center’s inaugural exhibitions include Migrating Modernism: The Architecture of Harry Seidler
the architect’s first major European retrospective
an international survey of Korean landscape designer Jung Youngsun
Both shows reflect SMAC’s ambition to explore transformative visions in design and culture
Opening week also hosts The World Around On Site: Venice Biennale 2025
a public symposium uniting global voices in design and technology
reinforcing SMAC’s role as a civic stage for ideas shaping the future
Venice Procuratie | image © Mike Merkenschlager
Scuola Piccola Zattere’s latest project
designed by Irene Calderoni and Victoria Mikhelson
introduces the ABC restaurant by Fosbury Architecture
marking a significant addition to a broader transformation
This reimagined space includes artist residency studios
and Andrea Canepa’s permanent installation
The design reinterprets Venetian tradition through local materials while creating an accessible and unified surface for events and cultural activities
The project reinforces the Foundation’s inclusive role in the city
Gaëlle Choisne’s Cœur also debuts in Venice’s Scuola Piccola Zattere as part of her ongoing Temple of Love project
creating a dialogue between Choisne’s works and Haitian Saint-Soleil art
The exhibition blends personal memory with mystical symbolism
offering an immersive experience that explores the deep connection between home
what: ABC Zattere and Cœur by Gaëlle Choisne where: Scuola Piccola Zattere
Ocean Space becomes a site of layered storytelling
and Caribbean futurity through two interlinked exhibitions: otras montañas
las que andan sueltas bajo el agua and Echoes of the Sanctuary
they engage the Ocean not just as subject or setting
Curated by Yina Jiménez Suriel, otras montañas, las que andan sueltas bajo el agua features new commissions by artists Nadia Huggins and Tessa Mars that draw from the tectonic
their works channel improvisation and freestyle as tools for reimagining life beneath and beyond colonial frameworks
Huggins’s underwater installation explores interspecies transformation through the metaphor of shipwreck
while Mars’s layered mountain scenes evoke fugitive temporalities and forms of becoming that resist capture
Running in parallel in the Research Room, Echoes of the Sanctuary—curated by Louise Carver—presents TBA21–Academy’s ongoing collaboration with Jamaica’s Alligator Head Foundation
Rooted in a decade of artistic residencies and marine conservation
the exhibition foregrounds ‘convivial conservation,’ an ecological approach centered on justice
the installation offers an intimate sonic and theoretical journey into Jamaica’s land-sea entanglements and the collective work of regeneration
Nadia Huggins, A shipwreck is not a wreck, 2025. Exhibition view of ‘otras montañas, las que andan sueltas bajo el agua’ [other mountains, adrift beneath the waves], Ocean Space, Venice. Commissioned by TBA21–Academy | image by Jacopo Salvi
Fortuny and Chahan Minassian unveil the second edition of their ongoing creative dialogue at the historic Fortuny Palazzina
This year’s installation explores the dynamic interplay of design
blending Minassian’s refined curation with Fortuny’s iconic textiles
The exhibition highlights architectural elements
transforming the Palazzina into an immersive environment where art and design converge
Notable pieces include the ARMONIA collection
designed by Minassian in collaboration with Fortuny’s creative director Mickey Riad
alongside Pierre Sabatier’s rare sculptural walls
Known for his kaleidoscopic video collages and cinematic aesthetics
Brambilla invites guests into a dreamlike sequence of image and sound
where reality is reassembled through a surreal
image courtesy of Jérôme Sans
what: Altered States — an immersive installation by Marco Brambilla
the exhibition marks the Foundation’s debut during the Venice Architecture Biennale
Astakhishvili’s intervention occupies the entire building
altering its architectural structure through a mix of drawing
The work explores the emotional and existential imprints of space
infusing the edifice with themes of fragmentation and transience
Having lived and worked onsite during the first months of 2025
the artist developed the work in direct dialogue with the building
exploring its emotional and existential imprints
The installation reflects Astakhishvili’s ongoing interest in fragmentation
Eight artists were invited by Astakhishvili to contribute to the installation
‘This unique project at the Nicoletta Fiorucci Foundation exemplifies Tolia Astakhishvili’s ability to create a complete installation –a Gesamtkunstwerk
but rather allows the viewer multiple entry points,’ notes Obrist
image by Marco Cappelletti
what: Nicoletta Fiorucci Foundation presents Tolia Astakhishvili
Mimi Lauter’s Cultivating the Landscape exhibition at Barbati Gallery showcases her signature oil and pastel works
which evoke abstract narratives inspired by mythology
Lauter’s technique of layering and incising pastels creates a vivid
reflecting her connection to the transcendental act of gardening
The works explore the tension between life and death
what: Cultivating the Landscape Show by Mimi Lauter at Barbati Gallery
The BancaStato Swiss Architectural Award 2024 exhibition opens its doors from May 9 to October 5
at the Teatro dell’architettura Mendrisio
offering an international survey of architectural innovation with a sharp eye on social and environmental impact
This year’s edition showcases the work of 31 architects and studios from 17 countries
selected for their ability to engage with contemporary challenges through thoughtful
Held in the scenic setting of Mendrisio’s architectural auditorium
the exhibition places a special spotlight on the winner of the 2023–2024 award
while framing their work within a rich global dialogue of architectural practices
Curated to reflect the diversity and depth of architectural approaches today
the roster includes high-profile studios like Assemble
alongside rising collectives such as La Cabina de la Curiosidad and RAW Robust Architecture Workshop
Visitors can trace the lines between cultural specificity and global discourse across a wide range of projects—from urban interventions to rural reimaginings—by names like Carles Enrich (Spain)
Al Borde, Biblioteca comunitaria Yuyarina Pacha, Huaticocha, Provincia de Orellana, Ecuador, 2023-2024 | image by JAG Studio
what: BancaStato Swiss Architectural Award 2024 exhibition
where: Auditorium of the Teatro dell’architettura Mendrisio
Through 28 large-scale photographs, German photographer Matthias Schaller brings the faded interiors of Venice’s historic palazzos into sharp focus in Controfacciata, a solo exhibition presented by Berggruen Arts & Culture and curated by Mario Codognato
the show unveils the once-opulent private spaces of the city’s most influential noble families—now silently crumbling under the weight of time and the looming threats of climate change
Schaller’s lens captures the haunting beauty of interiors from Palazzo Querini Benzon
and weathered grandeur rarely seen by the public
The exhibition invites viewers into these storied environments
Schaller bears witness to the subtle violence of rising tides
The ornate salons and frescoed chambers once animated by the likes of Lord Byron and Giambattista Tiepolo now whisper of fragility and disappearance.
Italy — the European center of the Berggruen Institute
when: 5th April – 23rd November 2025
Design studio Formafantasma reactivates Carlo Scarpa’s iconic Negozio Olivetti in Piazza San Marco with The Shape of Things to Come
an exhibition curated by Bartolomeo Pietromarchi
the show revisits and expands the duo’s acclaimed 2017 project Ore Streams
investigating electronic waste and the tech industry’s role in environmental collapse
Set within Scarpa’s modernist showroom for Olivetti—a brand once celebrated for its durable
socially conscious design—the exhibition sets up a stark contrast between objects made to endure and systems engineered to fail
and documentary films to examine the deliberate obsolescence baked into modern technology
Framed by Scarpa’s meticulous interiors
The Shape of Things to Come underscores how today’s throwaway tech culture diverges from the material intelligence and long-term thinking embodied by Olivetti and Scarpa alike.
what: The Shape of Things to Come where: FAI Negozio Olivetti | @negozioolivetti
the bride will get a hen do in space and a party on a super-yacht
“hiding the ring under her pillow after a starlit dinner à deux”
Few passions have been as exhaustively documented as that between these seasoned lovebirds
(Favourite saying: “Love you to space and back.”) And this week
prior to funding the solemnisation of that love – a June wedding in Venice – it will duly be our privilege to watch Lauren’s hen flight slip the surly bonds of Earth
Everyone on this pointless excursion will, Elle magazine confirms
“We are going to put the “ass” in astronaut,” says the singer Katy Perry
“Little girls and little boys are going to be more curious about space and what else is out there because we’re bringing attention to it,” says Sánchez
ticket availability on Bezos’s exclusive Blue Origin rocket tours
is reassuring residents that a three-day invasion by the Trump ally
their countless attendants and media being groomed into a frenzy
the tradition of US plutocrats Venice-washing their loot dates back at least to the time when Henry James’s friends were crowing about palazzos and treasures you could buy for a song
“The common Italians are not at all aware of the artistic value of such a unique specimen of decoration of 17th century as our gran sala,” wrote the US banker’s wife
after snapping up the Palazzo Barbaro in 1885
do not intend to be tied to it – regarding it as a good investment.”
The wedding plan is, reportedly, for the celebrations to centre on the Bezos yacht, a craft famous for its rivalrous mast dimensions, enormous support vessel (or garage/helicopter pad), and custom figurehead
one thought to be modelled on Sánchez until she indicated to Vogue
that its breasts were too small for that to be true
Tourist crowds will judge for themselves but the briefest comparison of the wooden figurehead and Ms Sánchez wearing
the corset she picked for Trump’s inauguration
since his “you guys paid for all this” triggered international disbelief
As we can’t be sure that Venice didn’t demand a fortune in return
it’s possible the city has made Bezos’s late-life bid to look classy
But still: the city offers something that is irreplaceable and desired by the second richest – or thereabouts – man in the world
Isn’t the least Venice could do for the numberless exhausted workers whose dignity Amazon has denied
to show Bezos there’s one thing he can’t buy
Catherine Bennett is an Observer columnist
Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a letter of up to 250 words to be considered for publication, email it to us at observer.letters@observer.co.uk
This article was amended on 14 April 2025 to clarify that Jeff Bezos was executive chair
of Amazon at the time of his Blue Origin trip in July 2021
This is the archive of The Observer up until 21/04/2025
The Observer is now owned and operated by Tortoise Media
What is the Venice Architecture Biennale?
Related Article Venice Architecture City Guide: 15 Historical and Contemporary Attractions to Discover in Italy’s City of Canals
What are the dates for the upcoming Venice Architecture Biennale?
Arsenale, Venice, Italy. Image © Andrea Avezzù. Courtesy of La Biennale di VeneziaOpen to the general public, the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale begins on Saturday
and opening hours vary over the exhibition months
The organization recommends planning a visit between May and September to take advantage of extended hours and a broader range of parallel events during the summer season
The event is not free of charge, and the organization offers different ticketing options depending on the number of days, areas to be visited, and the possibility of guided tours. Official information on schedules, ticket prices, and purchases can be found on the Biennale’s official website
How is the Venice Architecture Biennale organized?
Where is the Venice Architecture Biennale held?
along with most of the national pavilion buildings
In the words of the organization, "Venice will not just host the Biennale Architettura—it will become a living laboratory. The city itself – one of the most imperiled on Earth in the face of a changing climate—will serve as the backdrop for a new kind of Exhibition, where installations, prototypes, and experiments are scattered across the Giardini, the Arsenale and other neighborhoods."
What is the theme of the Biennale, and who is in charge of choosing it?
How are the participating countries and designers chosen?
Do all national pavilions have their own buildings at the Biennale?
Nordic pavilion in the Giardini della Biennale designed by Sverre Fehn in 1962. Image © Åke E:son LindmanNo
Throughout the history of the Venice Biennale
29 countries have constructed their permanent buildings for national pavilions
these are managed by institutions in their respective countries
Countries without permanent buildings must pay a participation fee
One of this year’s new developments is the construction of a new permanent pavilion for Qatar in the Giardini, designed by Lebanese architect Lina Ghotmeh
It is worth noting that having a permanent pavilion does not guarantee participation in every edition
two of the countries not participating this year
Does the Venice Architecture Biennale give out awards?
El Jurado Internacional de la Bienal de Arquitectura de Venecia 2025. Image Cortesía de La Biennale di VeneziaYes, the Biennale Jury awards the Golden Lion for Best National Participation
the Golden Lion for Best Participant in the International Exhibition
and the Silver Lion for a Promising Young Participant in the International Exhibition
the jury may grant an Honourable Mention for national participation and up to two Honourable Mentions for participants in the main exhibition
What is the significance of the Golden Lion award?
How is this edition different from previous exhibitions?
The document calls on participants to create spaces
and exhibitions that serve as examples of circular design
aiming to minimize the ecological impact of the event
The initiative aligns with the organization’s goal of obtaining carbon neutrality certification this year under the new ISO 14068 standard
with the main challenge being the environmental impact of the visitors themselves
the previews of the national pavilions and international participants announce a greater emphasis on the integration of technology in architectural practices
and digital fabrication in design processes
all put in the context of international and cross-disciplinary collaborations
reflecting the globalized nature of contemporary architectural practice and its potential to enact meaningful change at both lcaol and global scales
We invite you to check out ArchDaily's comprehensive coverage of the 2025 Venice Biennale.
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EN • EnglishDE • DeutschES • EspañolFR • FrançaisZH • 繁Welcome
and gallerists are transforming Venice into a cultural haven where art
and la dolce vita converge in all seasons","url":"https://www.artbasel.com/stories/venice-reinvented-how-the-lagoon-city-is-becoming-a-year-round-art-capital","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://d2u3kfwd92fzu7.cloudfront.net/asset/news/Art_Basel_2025_Venice_cultural_ecosystem_2.jpg","width":2400,"height":1500}}It’s never been difficult to convince collectors
While plenty of other cities have tried to replicate its format and magic
remains one of the most important art exhibitions in the world
attracting more than 700,000 visitors to its most recent edition
the Venice Architecture Biennale has run in the off years
many of the Venetian palaces that hosted parties
and shows returned to a silent slumber once the respective biennales wound down
The day-trippers pacing the calli (lanes) were none the wiser to the treasures lying behind their closed doors
and the city’s contemporary art credentials remained largely under wraps
drowned out by its well-established historical wonders
Venice has developed into a year-round contemporary art capital as more and more galleries
and institutions have permanently settled into the city’s labyrinth of canals and narrow alleys (and
as the lines between art and architecture exhibitions blur)
will run parallel to the architecture biennale as an official satellite event
The palace’s programming is closely tied to the activities of both biennales
with one major show lasting for several months
the factor which spearheaded [the current growth in Venetian venues] is the biennale’s enlightened decision to extend its duration from April to November,’ he says
the art event reverted to its original opening month of April after years of opening in June: The current timing turns it into a nine-month affair
The architecture event runs for almost as long
‘This has led many people who are interested in art at many different levels to spend long periods in the city
which has contributed to creating a milieu that didn’t exist before,’ says Codognato
Many art venues are outposts of prolific art collectors looking to contribute to the city’s cultural legacy
That’s how some of the longest-standing institutions here – like the 74-year-old Peggy Guggenheim Collection or Palazzo Grassi
once owned by Italian industrialist Gianni Agnelli – began
when mega collector François Pinault opened his foundation at Palazzo Grassi
before expanding in 2009 to Punta della Dogana
housed within the imposing Ca Corner della Regina on the Canal Grande since 2011
which launched in 2019 inside the squat San Lorenzo church and is dedicated to art reflecting on the maritime
is underwritten by collector Francesca Thyssen-Bornemisza’s TBA21 Academy
Turin-based powerhouse Patrizia Sandretto Re Rebaudengo has turned a derelict islet in the middle of the lagoon into a cultural center and residency for artists
which she hopes to open to the public in time for next year’s art biennale
‘Venice is the most international city in the world – it’s always been a special place for me
ever since I organized my first temporary show here 30 years ago,’ she says
bought the island of San Giacomo in Paludo – previously a monastery and
they staged performances by Brazil-born Jota Mombaça and Korean artist Eun-Me Ahn during the art biennale’s openings in 2022 and 2024 respectively
Re Rebaudengo believes the city’s inexhaustible mystique
its wealth of classic masterpieces (including jaw-dropping works by Tintoretto)
and the lagoon’s aquatic charm are the enduring reasons behind its renewed appeal
building – an increasingly lively and interesting place,’ she adds
Though the pressures of overtourism are pushing rents up (famously squeezing many residents out of the city center)
Venice is not necessarily a more expensive dream than London
‘We came to Venice because we wanted somewhere that wasn’t a faceless megacity,’ says Treviso-born Marta Barina
the founder of multidisciplinary gallery and production studio Mare Karina
Barina lived and worked for major players in London for ten years before returning to Italy
After operating as a nomadic entity for a few years
the gallery settled in Venice near the Arsenale in 2024
is affordable enough to allow her to focus on ‘research’ and a ‘riskier’ program
‘Venice is a hyper-local city with a tight-knit community but
it has an international audience who come here to experience art,’ she says
explaining how her program focuses on emerging artists and fosters links with the local context
‘It’s not a competitive place – there is an emphasis on cooperation
Chiara Rimella is a Turin-born journalist. She is the deputy editor of quarterly magazine Konfekt, and writes about culture, architecture, fashion, travel, and more.
The Venice Architecture Biennale runs from May 10 to November 23, 2025.
From the Piedmontese alps to the Amalfi Coast, here are the top 10 spots
ReadChristophe Leribault holds the keys to Versailles. What are his plans?From Herculean renovations to contemporary art programs, the president of the world’s most famous château has his hands full
ReadSpring’s 25 unmissable solo shows in Europe? Art Basel has your must-see listFrom painting surveys that unflinchingly examine the human body to participatory projects by children, the continent is teeming with stimulating exhibitions
Based on this research on the historical evolution of La Biennale Architettura and its intricate ecology
the projects and their themes – were processed in data clusters
Another 23-metre wall offers a critical visualisation of the curatorial process of this year's exhibition: Intelligens
The range of selected proposals and projects is explored from an ethnographic point of view: the curatorial team and the many other actors contributing to this edition were interviewed
The result is an unprecedented representation of a complex network of people
as well as the interaction between global networks
local contexts and interdisciplinary diplomacy
which often remains hidden behind the scene
"The presence of Politecnico di Torino at La Biennale Architettura di Venezia demonstrates Politecnico's great consideration of construction and technological innovation in this sector
which is key for providing concrete answers to the challenges posed by the ecological and energy transition
and sustainability," comments Deputy Rector of Politecnico di Torino Elena Baralis
She then continues: "Our University has coordinated four contributions that converge in La Bienniael's installation: that of Network Science
with the Barabasi Lab in Boston; that of Information Design from Northeastern University; the ethnographic one by Albena Yaneva
and finally the architectural design curated by the designers themselves from the Department of Architecture and Design
A group of excellence from an academic point of view
using quantitative-technological methods based on big data and networks
and qualitative-humanistic methods of the ethnography of architecture”'
"Since in previous Biennale it was the figure of the curator who attracted most of the attention and emphasis
this time we explicitly announce the presence of a complex machine
This collective intelligence is represented as faithfully as possible by our installation”, said Michele Bonino
Director of the Department of Architecture and Design and curator of the project
The presence at La Biennale will be an occasion for visibility not only for Politecnico
but for the City of Turin and its tradition in the fields of architecture and construction
This year’s edition sees for the first time an architect from Turin
the edition directed by Massimiliano Fuksas
there were no more Italian curators).
Since 1859 our students have been changing the world
Politecnico di Torino | Corso Duca degli Abruzzi, 24 | 10129 Torino, ITALY | P.IVA/C.F. 00518460019 | PEC politecnicoditorino@pec.polito.it
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Bahrain Pavilion, Heat map of a construction site in Askar, Bahrain. Image © Andrea FaragunaThe pavilion's architectural design is defined by a distinct floor and cantilevered ceiling of identical dimensions
the system allows for scalable implementation in various urban contexts
Developed in collaboration with structural engineer Mario Monotti and thermomechanical expert Alexander Puzrin
the system reimagines vernacular cooling techniques through contemporary design and engineering
low-impact alternative to conventional climate-control infrastructures
Related Article Discover the Full List of Special Projects and Participants of the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale
which reflects on the recent archaeological discovery of ancestral infrastructure in the Amazon
We invite you to check out ArchDaily's comprehensive coverage of the 2025 Venice Biennale.
The coach didn't lose consciousness and it was later announced he had fainted due to blood pressure issues
Godinho stepped in for Vanoli and explained: "The coach is fine
"He had the attitude that was necessary
He gave instructions and made the boys responsible
That wasn't the match we had prepared."
Venice will be invaded by the 19th edition of the International Architecture Biennale
the National Gallery of Kosovo has launched the invitation for next year's International Art Biennale
As the days until the official opening of the Kosovo Pavilion at the International Architecture Biennale in Venice are counted down
artists and curators have been reminded of the upcoming Art Biennale
as the National Gallery has already opened the call for the country's representation at the major event
almost a month before the announcement of the theme of the central exhibition that is organized with participating artists
in parallel and independently of the state pavilions
in addition to the prestige for each participating country that enters a kind of competition
But the opening of the calls in Kosovo also opens the debate on whether the responsible institutions manage to avoid politics when selecting the representative
as long as the winner has not yet been announced
they unpublicly begin to distort the predetermined names
even though the distorted names have rarely emerged as winners and have been surprising
The 61st edition of the International Art Biennale in Venice
while the theme of the exhibition will be presented on May 20 by the president of the Biennale and the curator of the next edition
Venice is already in the grip of Architecture fever
in the 19th edition of which Kosovo is represented with the work "The Snowdrop No Longer Blooms
a sensory installation by architect Erzë Dinarama
which will be inaugurated on Thursday next week
according to the invitation for applications of the state institution of visual arts
the call is open for joint artist-curator or collective project-proposals
for the realization of one or more new artistic works
The call states that projects can be of various forms
A dilemma for a group of artists – among whom were visitors to this event – is whether Kosovo has rushed to open the call
will announce the title and theme at a press conference on May 20
The deputy director of the National Gallery of Kosovo
was clear: she said that the work of artists representing the countries is independent of the theme that is defined
"The theme that opens at the Biennale has nothing to do with the Pavilions
It opens for the basic exhibition that is built by the designated curator
who also invites artists from different countries
There are two different things: artists apply to represent the country depending on the theme they choose
while the theme that is determined is for the basic exhibition by the curator who is selected for the Biennale," Gojani explained
when the theme of what is officially called the International Art Exhibition was already known
“Foreigners Everywhere” was the theme determined by the Brazilian Adriano Pedrosa
organizes the exhibition according to his own concept
“The Resonant Silences of Metal and Leather” was the title of the work of the new generation artist
under the curation of Erëmirë Krasniqi and with commissioner Hana Halilaj
It was the sixth representation of Kosovo at the Art Biennial that culminated in success
The Kosovo Pavilion in competition with 80 countries received a “Special Appreciation” in the 60th edition
where the “Golden Lion” was awarded to Australia
has said that the competitions for selecting Kosovo's representatives at the Biennale are not based on theme anyway
I had a question and two Italian artists told me that the Venice Biennale is political
otherwise it doesn't happen because he is the best
I don't think the best artist goes," he said
while expressing that this perception was created based on the artists who have been selected so far
Then about 40 people from the Ministry of Culture go to accompany the artist
no reality about how it should happen," Qahili told KOHĪN
Referring to the visits of the Kosovo Government delegations to the Venice Biennale
he said that many former participants in this event were at the International Art Biennale in Durrës
which held its first edition last year from October 5 to November 24
have also participated in the Venice Biennial and the Kosovo Government has not had the opportunity to visit it
supposedly because they are very interested in culture
This is the support of Kosovo's culture abroad," said artist Qahili
He said that other countries look at the works and not the artist
"They select what is in their circle or that they think can benefit from our people participating in the Biennale," he said
According to artist and art professor Mehmet Behluli
as well as distance from political influences
I think that recently the competitions being announced by the Gallery and the Ministry of Culture are more professional than before
We must learn once and for all that political parties come and go
Politics should not be mixed and we simply need to learn to administer major competitions as befits us," he said
adding that he hopes that those selected for this upcoming edition will be like the last ones
where the committees have been very professional
It must be seen that work is really being done
Kosovo has long been represented at the Venice Biennale with artists "who do not bring concrete results
but rather manifest themselves as their marginalized promotion."
"The work to be presented at this Biennial should have an effect and bring more tangible results and not just be a superficial achievement
the criterion can dilute the artistic expression of the creative artist from idea to realization
the authority dealing with this selection should take all of this into account so that the work presented at the Biennial has all the features of a dignified work created with care and meaning," he said
the work of artists and curators depends on the theme of the Biennale
Each curator and competing artist competes based on that theme
then they can use that period to apply to other competitors," he said
While preparations for the International Art Biennale in Venice are in the initial phase
the Kosovo Pavilion at the Architecture Biennale with the work "The Snowdrop No Longer Blooms
Assembly in Appearance" by architect Erzë Dinarama is already ready for the event
which will be open to the public from May 10 to November 13
The project with which Kosovo participates in the 19th edition of the Architecture Biennale is considered an invitation to hear
Kosovo's "history" at the Venice International Biennale began in 2013 with Petrit Halilaj
who presented the installation "I am humbled by the past
I am trying to find the words that satisfy me
but in the end there is nothing left but a closed circle
Kosovo was represented by artist Flaka Haliti with the work "Speculating in the blue"
it was Sislej Xhafa with the work "Lost and Found"
a powerful appeal for the fate of those who disappeared during the war
Kosovo was also represented in 2019 by Alban Muja with "Family Album"
Jakup Ferri will address "The Monumentality of Everyday Life"
by curator Përparim Rama – now mayor of Prishtina – and architect Bekim Ramku was appointed as commissioner
The installation aimed to shed light on Kosovo's cultural heritage
Gëzim Paçarizi had represented Kosovo with “Visibility (imposed modernism)”
The tower made of 720 benches conveyed the architectural history of Prizren
due to the Ministry of Culture's dispute over the procedures
which relocated the Kosovo house from the 90s there
Maksut Vezgishi with “Containporary” explored the question of how we can live together
Poliksen Qorri-Dragaj and Hamdi Qorri with the theme “RKS2 Transcedent Locality” addressed the phenomenon of migration and its impact on the architecture of cities
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Annex of the former Radio Prishtina (first floor) George Bush pn
anonymous art project arrives in Europe for the first time
choosing Venice as an iconic city in which to launch its international activities
International Architecture Exhibition - La Biennale di Venezia 2025
the philanthropic program conceived by Hiroyuki Maki presents two independent exhibitions that testify to the project’s commitment to promoting free
conceived in dialogue with the architectural and cultural context of the lagoon city
offer a powerful and unprecedented cross-section of contemporary Japanese artistic research.From May 6 to Sept
the National Archaeological Museum of Venice welcomes LINES by KENGO KITO
a site-specific installation by Kengo Kito (Nagoya
1977) curated by Masahiko Haito that runs between the Agrippa Courtyard and Room V of the Museum
stems from a reflection on the relationship between the individual and public space
fitting in continuity with the Renaissance rigor of the courtyard designed by Vincenzo Scamozzi and the Byzantine suggestions of the nearby Basilica of San Marco
With ready-made materials and a vibrant visual language
Kito creates a work that celebrates the vitality of art as a concrete presence in the urban landscape
the spaces of Palazzo Bollani will host Mika NINAGAWA with EiM: INTERSTICE
the first European solo exhibition of Japanese photographer and filmmaker Mika Ninagawa (Tokyo
In collaboration with the creative collective EiM (Eternity in a Moment)
Ninagawa offers an installation that traverses images
constructing a totalizing perceptual experience
The work explores the thresholds of identity
the places of transition and the interstices where the possibility of change is generated
meets the scientific and technological approach of the EiM collective
involving figures such as data scientist Hiroaki Miyata and lighting designer Koshiro Ueno
To mark the opening of this new season of activities
in conjunction with the public opening of the exhibitions
an event celebrating the encounter between visual culture and gastronomic culture will be held
a typical Japanese winter dish reinterpreted as a convivial gesture and contemporary ritual
The event will be animated by the art collective L PACK
which will accompany the audience in a multisensory experience inspired by the spirit of the project
Founded in 2023 by entrepreneur Hiroyuki Maki
anonymous art project represents Japan’s first philanthropic program entirely dedicated to supporting contemporary artists through an alternative model to the logic of profit
the project has already made its mark in Japan
with more than 160 works donated to national museums
three editions of competitions for young artists
and training programs involving 55 participants in study trips to art cities such as Hong Kong
The documentary chronicling its activities
reinforced its impact in the international cultural debate
anonymous art project strengthens its international focus by establishing a temporary curatorial position at a foreign museum
supporting the curatorial sector through tax-advantaged mechanisms in Japan
and co-organizing exhibitions of international significance
Kengo Kito’s intervention also coincides with a historic moment for the National Archaeological Museum of Venice
reopens to the public its historic entrance at number 17 in Piazzetta San Marco
The initiative marks the start of a new refurbishment project and a renewed accessibility policy
a separate ticketing system for the Museum and the Marciana Library
and a new multipurpose space designed to house prestigious exhibits and tell the story of the evolution of the new layout in real time
An integral part of the intervention is the conservation restoration supported by anonymous art project on the wall behind the Agrippa sculpture
a concrete example of how art and heritage care can go hand in hand
The LINES by KENGO KITO project is coordinated in Italy by Veronesi Namioka
a company active in building a cultural bridge between Italy and Japan
Torino avoided a costly home defeat in Matchweek 35 of Serie A
salvaging a 1-1 draw against relegation-threatened Venezia thanks to a late penalty from Nikola Vlašić
The visitors stunned the Turin crowd early
with Quique Pérez breaking the deadlock in the 37th minute — a goal that momentarily put Venezia on course for a rare away victory
But Torino’s persistence paid off when Vlašić stepped up to the spot in the 77th minute and coolly converted to level the score
Torino sit in 10th place on 44 points — comfortably mid-table but with European qualification likely out of reach
remain locked in a fierce relegation battle
currently 18th and in urgent need of points in the closing weeks
Torino - Venezia 1:1 (0:1)Goals: Kike P.M.
77 (penalty) (1:1)Torino: Milinkovic-Savic V.; Walukiewicz (Dembele A.
90); Ilić I.; Vlašić; Elmas; Casadei (Perciun
46)Bench: Paleari; Donnarumma An.; Tamèze; Vecchia; KaramohYellow Cards: Casadei 45Venezia: Radu A.; Haps (Ellertsson
71); NicolussiBench: Joronen; Grandi M.; Stankovic F.; Zampano F.; Marcandalli; Sverko; Bjarkason; Carboni F.; Maric M
[email protected]
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Serie A | Torino 1-1 Venezia: Vlasic penalty holds Lagunari | OneFootballFootball Italia
A penalty kick converted by Nikola Vlasic cancelled out Kike Pérez’s first Serie A goal for Venezia for a 1-1 draw at the Stadio Grande Torino
Serie A Week 35 began Friday night with a 1-1 draw between Torino and strugglers Venezia
The Lagunari travelled to Pidemont hoping to secure all three points in the race for survival and had a more convincing start
John Yeboah did it all by himself, dribbling past two Torino defenders and hitting the far post with a curler; Christian Gytkjær also hit the woodwork on the rebound
and Alessio Zerbin put the ball inside an empty net
The Lagunari continued to push and ultimately broke the deadlock with Kike Perez who received the ball from Yeboah
ran inside the box with the ball at his feet making the most of Gytkjær cutting inside and found the net with the inside of his foot at the near post
Torino reacted strongly in the second half
Ché Adams immediately replaced a disappointing Antonio Sanabria
but Ionut Radu deflected his sliding attempt from inside the box
The Venezia keeper produced another remarkable save on Vlasic
but the ex-West Ham midfielder got his revenge a few minutes later
Eljif Elmas earned a penalty kick at minute 77 for a Jay Idzes handball inside the box
scoring his second goal this season and frustrating Venezia’s hopes of getting a much-needed win in the race for survival
The Lagunari remain 18th in the Serie A table
who host Napoli at the Stadio via del Mare on Saturday
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Torino (10th) faces a crucial Serie A clash against relegation-threatened Venezia (18th) on May 3rd
with Torino favored to win a low-scoring game
As the 2024-25 Serie A season heads towards its thrilling conclusion
2025: Torino versus Venezia at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino
This isn't just another game; it's a battle for survival and a chance for a mid-table finish
Their recent 2-0 loss to Napoli highlights a struggle to convert chances
languishing in 18th place with only 25 points—two points adrift of safety
Their recent 2-0 defeat to AC Milan underlines their deep-seated problems
The historical record between these two sides is remarkably even
with 46 meetings resulting in 16 wins for Torino
This adds another layer of intrigue to the upcoming match
his strength and link-up play crucial against Venezia's vulnerable defense
Hans Nicolussi Caviglia's midfield control will be paramount to their survival hopes
Torino's predicted 3-5-2 formation features Milinković-Savić in goal
Venezia's predicted 3-5-2 sees Radu in goal and Yeboah and Fila upfront
Betting odds suggest a close contest: a Torino win has a 45.5% probability
Historically low-scoring affairs are expected
defensively-minded game with a single goal deciding the outcome
A win for Torino boosts their chances of a top-half finish
potentially pushing them closer to relegation
A draw wouldn't benefit either side significantly
especially the desperately struggling Venetians
and a potential turning point for both clubs
The Serie A match between Torino and Venezia is scheduled for May 3rd
Keep an eye out for the exact kickoff time closer to the date
while Venezia is fighting relegation in 18th place
it's expected to be a closely contested match
Venezia's position near the bottom of the Serie A table makes this match crucial for their hopes of avoiding relegation
A loss could significantly damage their chances of staying in the league
check reputable sports news websites and official Serie A channels closer to the match date
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Kike Perez's first Serie A goal was not enough to lift Venezia out of the relegation zone in Italy after Torino scored late to secure a 1-1 draw at home
Visiting Venezia had already seen an early goal disallowed for offside when Perez put them ahead after 35 minutes on Friday (Saturday AEST)
squeezing between two defenders and angling home a low right-foot shot
Nikola Vlasic converted a 77th-minute penalty to give the home side a share of the points
The result was harsh for Venezia - a first away win since February 2022 would have lifted them out of the bottom three
one point above Empoli and a point behind Lecce
with last-placed Monza almost certain to drop
Torino were in 10th place in the standings.Â