Italian
Venice hosts the 19th International Architecture Exhibition: “Intelligens. Natural. Artificial. Collective.”
VENICE. The Venice Biennale is getting ready to welcome the 19th International Architecture Exhibition, which will open its doors to the public from May 10 to November 23, 2025, with a pre-opening scheduled for May 8 and 9. Curated by architect and urbanist Carlo Ratti, this edition tackles the theme of climate adaptation and the role of intelligence – natural, artificial, and collective – in shaping the architecture of the future.
A new paradigm for architecture
Carlo Ratti introduces the Exhibition with a reflection on the urgency of architectural adaptation to climate change: “Architecture has always responded to environmental challenges, but today a leap in quality is necessary. It is no longer enough to mitigate the damage: we must adapt to a rapidly changing world.” The past year has seen record temperatures and increasingly frequent climate disasters, making resilient and interconnected design essential.
An inclusive and interdisciplinary exhibition
The Architecture Biennale 2025 is set up as a dynamic laboratory, with the participation of over 750 experts from various disciplines: architects, engineers, mathematicians, climate scientists, philosophers, artists, programmers, and farmers. The projects were selected through an open call, “Space for Ideas,” which received submissions from around the world.
An innovative aspect of this edition is overcoming the traditional idea of the architect as the sole creator. “Intelligens” promotes a collective approach, inspired by scientific research, where each contribution is recognized and credited, redesigning the concept of authorship in architecture.
Themes of the Exhibition
The exhibition path unfolds through three main sections:
- Natural Intelligence, dedicated to the wisdom of nature and biomimetic solutions;
- Artificial Intelligence, which explores the role of new technologies in design;
- Collective Intelligence, which highlights the value of human collaboration on a global scale.
With the Central Pavilion under renovation, the Biennale will extend beyond the traditional exhibition spaces, involving the entire city of Venice. Installations and prototypes will be distributed among the Gardens, the Arsenal, and other urban areas, transforming the city into a “living lab” of architectural experimentation.
Venice as a living laboratory
The journey culminates with the “Out” section, which poses a provocative question: can space be a solution to Earth’s problems? The Exhibition suggests that space exploration should not be an escape route, but an opportunity to improve our planet.
Biennale College and National Participations
For the second year in a row, the Biennale College Architecture will offer a research and experimentation workshop for young talents under 30. Eight selected projects will receive a grant of 20,000 euros and will be exhibited out of competition.
There will be 66 national participations, with four new entries: Azerbaijan, Oman, Qatar, and Togo. The Italian Pavilion, curated by Guendalina Salimei, will present “TERRÆ AQUÆ. Italy and the Intelligence of the Sea,” while the Holy See Pavilion will propose “Opera aperta,” curated by Marina Otero Verzier and Giovanna Zabotti.
A commitment to sustainability
Since 2021, the Venice Biennale has embarked on a path to reduce its environmental impact, achieving “carbon neutrality” certification. The goal for 2025 is to continue on this path, promoting sustainability through projects and collaborations with global institutions such as COP30 and C40.
An unmissable event
The appointment is in Venice, where architecture becomes the bridge between human intelligence, technology, and nature.
The 2025 Architecture Biennale is shaping up to be a must-attend event for anyone interested in the architecture of the future. With its innovative and interdisciplinary approach, “Intelligens” promises to redefine the way we think and build our world.
