Today, with special permission, I had the opportunity to attend the pre-opening of the 19th Biennale Architettura in Venice, which officially opens tomorrow, May 10, 2025, and runs until November 23, 2025.
It's important to note that this is not the Art Biennale—that will take place next year—but rather a dedicated exhibition focused entirely on architecture.
For those unfamiliar with the field, some of the national pavilion exhibitions, especially those in the Giardini, might come across as abstract—or even dull. As often happens, the most engaging experience can be found in the Arsenale, and in particular, the Corderie section.
This year's edition places a strong emphasis on climate change. However, it presents a rather one-dimensional view: that humans are solely responsible for the current environmental crisis, without acknowledging that climate has always been a dynamic force throughout Earth’s history.
The exhibition opens with a striking juxtaposition: rising global temperatures alongside declining global populations. This is the stark reality architects must confront in an era that demands radical adaptation.
From here, as curator Carlo Ratti explains, visitors journey through three thematic realms: Natural Intelligence, Artificial Intelligence, and Collective Intelligence. The exhibition culminates in a final section titled Out, which poses a provocative question: can space be a solution to Earth's crises?
Each section of the exhibition has been conceived as a modular, fractal space—an organic network that interweaves large- and small-scale projects into a cohesive web of dialogue. The exhibition design, created by architecture and design office Sub (led by Niklas Bildstein Zaar), and the graphic identity by Bänziger Hug Kasper Florio, reflect the interconnectedness necessary for survival in a rapidly changing world. Digital layers expand the narrative, adding depth and new dimensions to the visitor experience.
I haven’t yet had the chance to explore the many collateral events scattered throughout Venice, but if I come across anything noteworthy, I’ll be sure to write about it!