Golden Lions Awarded: Venice Opens Architecture Biennale, Mourns Art Biennale Curator

Venice Biennale 2025: Architecture, Innovation, and a Moment of reflection

The Venice Architecture Biennale, a global stage for architectural innovation, recently unfolded amidst both festivity and sorrow. While the Golden Lions were awarded, a pall was cast by the sudden death of Koyo Kouoh, the curator slated to lead the next Art Biennale. how will this loss impact the future of the biennale, and what groundbreaking ideas emerged from this year’s architectural showcase?

A Shadow Over the Celebration: Remembering Koyo Kouoh

The opening day of the Venice Architecture Biennale is traditionally a moment of triumph, marked by the awarding of the prestigious Golden and Silver Lions. Though, May 10, 2025, carried a heavy heart. The Biennale leadership expressed profound sorrow at the sudden passing of Koyo Kouoh, acknowledging her “extraordinary intellectual and human commitment” and extending “deep sympathy and affection to all those who shared with her the path of research and critical thinking about contemporary art.” Even Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni conveyed her condolences. The cause of death was not disclosed.

Did you know? Koyo Kouoh’s vision for the upcoming Art Biennale was highly anticipated, promising a fresh viewpoint on contemporary art’s role in a rapidly changing world.

Architecture Biennale 2025: “Intelligens. Natural. Artificial. Collective.”

Curated by Italian architect and engineer Carlo Ratti, the central exhibition, “Intelligens.Natural. Artificial. Collective,” focused on pressing global challenges such as climate change and population growth. With over 750 participants, the exhibition served as a platform for exploring innovative solutions and reimagining the built habitat.

the Core Themes: Climate,Population,and Collective Intelligence

Ratti’s curatorial vision emphasized the interconnectedness of natural,artificial,and collective intelligence in addressing the world’s most urgent issues. The exhibition showcased projects that leveraged technology, sustainable practices, and collaborative approaches to create more resilient and equitable urban environments.

Expert Tip: Look for projects that integrate AI and machine learning to optimize resource management and reduce environmental impact. These are likely to be key trends in future architectural design.

Golden Lion Winner: “Canal Cafe” – Espresso and Environmentalism

The American architectural firm Diller scofidio + Renfro, in collaboration with critic Aaron Betsky, won the Golden Lion for best single contribution with their project “Canal Cafe.” This installation, situated on the edge of the Arsenale’s historic harbor basin, features four bubbling cylinders on a steel frame. Plants grow atop the cylinders, while water is purified as it moves from one trough to the next.

From Purification to Perk-Up: The “Canal Cafe” Process

The purified water is then channeled to coffee machines, where baristas brew espresso.The jury, led by Swiss curator Hans Ulrich obrist, praised “Canal Cafe” for demonstrating how Venice functions as a laboratory while contributing to public life on the waterfront.

Speedy Fact: Diller Scofidio + Renfro are renowned for their innovative and often provocative designs, including the High Line in New York City.

Silver Lion: “Calculating Empires” – Visualizing Technological Evolution

The Silver Lion was awarded to the professor duo Kate Crawford from New York and vladan joler from Novi Sad for their essential research on systems of collective and artificial intelligence. Their project, “Calculating Empires,” visualizes how technical and social structures have co-evolved over five centuries.

Tracing the Roots of AI: A Historical Perspective

“Calculating Empires” offers a critical examination of the historical forces that have shaped the advancement of AI, highlighting the complex interplay between technology, power, and society. This research provides valuable context for understanding the ethical and social implications of AI in the 21st century.

bahrain’s “Heatwave”: A Golden Solution for Extreme Climates

Bahrain secured the Golden lion for best national participation with its project “Heatwave.” The jury lauded the pavilion for offering a practical solution to managing extreme heat conditions. “Adaptation” was a key theme of Ratti’s biennale, and Bahrain’s project exemplified this concept.

Cooling Innovation: Geothermal Wells and Solar Chimneys

visitors to the Bahrain pavilion entered a space where they could relax on large cushions and learn about the technology beneath the sand floor, in the metal grid ceiling, and within the connecting tube system at the center. A geothermal well and a solar chimney distribute cool air throughout the room, showcasing the ingenious principle of passive cooling.

Reader Poll: Which is more crucial in architecture: aesthetics or sustainability? Share yoru thoughts in the comments below!

Extending the Concept: outdoor Cooling Solutions

The innovative cooling system is designed to function not only indoors but also outdoors. The jury praised it as “an example of environmentally friendly,climate-just design for outdoor workspaces in hot climates,” recognizing its “ecological obligation,social fairness,and innovative architectural solutions.” This marks Bahrain’s second Golden Lion win, following their success in 2010.

Germany’s “Stresstest”: A Dystopian Vision of Urban Heat

In contrast,the German pavilion,which has never won a major award in the Architecture Biennale’s nearly 30-year history,faced disappointment once again.While the “Stresstest” approach shared some thematic similarities with the winning projects, its execution was deemed overly simplistic and lacking in practical solutions.

The Premise: Urban Heat and its Impact

The German pavilion’s contribution focused on the increasing frequency of heatwaves and their impact on “cities, their inhabitants, and the entirety of the flora and fauna.” Upon entering, a swinging video bell clapper warns of the urgency of the situation. Is it the tolling of a death knell?

dystopian Depiction: A Thermographic Nightmare

The pavilion presents a dramatically dystopian vision. A 17-minute film depicts the inner cities of Berlin, Rome, Madrid, and Athens, gradually transforming from summer idylls into thermographic nightmares, with colors shifting from red to increasingly intense shades. Drone footage showcases sealed metropolises,concrete fortresses,and asphalt under smog-filled skies,accompanied by news reports of heat records and a foreboding soundtrack.

did you know? Urban heat islands can raise temperatures in cities by several degrees, exacerbating the effects of heatwaves.

Faces of Heat: Close-Ups of Suffering

The film features close-ups of weary faces,sad children’s eyes,and beads of sweat. A brief respite arrives with images of thick trees, rooftop gardens, green facades, and leisurely moments in the shade, accompanied by an Ave Maria soundtrack. However, the cooling effect is short-lived. In the second room, visitors experience the curators’ wrath firsthand.

Experiencing the Heat: Infrared Radiation and Thermal Imaging

Through thermal imaging projection, visitors can watch their heads turn fiery red under infrared lamps that simulate solar radiation. The next room offers a view of a few hornbeams, arranged like sacred totems, with an open skylight allowing a breeze to enter. A large wall diagram presents options such as artificial shading and lighter facades as temperature-reducing measures.

Missing the Mark: A Lack of Innovative Solutions

While the pavilion correctly identifies the problem and acknowledges well-known solutions,it fails to offer innovative or promising approaches. Consequently, the lasting impression is one of moralizing rather than practical guidance.

FAQ: Venice Architecture Biennale 2025

1. what is the Venice Architecture Biennale?

   The Venice Architecture biennale is a major international architecture exhibition held every two years in Venice,Italy. It showcases innovative architectural projects and ideas from around the world.

2. Who curates the Venice Architecture Biennale?

   Each edition of the Biennale is curated by a different architect or architectural expert. In 2025, Carlo Ratti curated the central exhibition.

3. What are the Golden and Silver Lions?

   The Golden Lion is the highest award given at the Venice Architecture Biennale. It is awarded for the best national participation and the best single contribution to the central exhibition. The Silver Lion recognizes promising participants.

4. What was the theme of the 2025 Biennale?

   The theme of the 2025 Biennale was “Intelligens. natural. Artificial. Collective,” focusing on the intersection of these elements in addressing global challenges.

5. How can architecture help combat climate change?

   Architecture can play a crucial role in mitigating climate change through sustainable design, energy-efficient buildings, and innovative materials. Projects like Bahrain’s “Heatwave” demonstrate practical solutions for adapting to extreme climates.

Pros and Cons: The “Stresstest” Approach

Pros:

• Raises awareness of the impact of urban heat on cities and their inhabitants.
• Highlights the urgency of addressing climate change and its effects on urban environments.
• Showcases potential solutions for mitigating urban heat, such as green spaces and reflective surfaces.

Cons:

• Lacks innovative or practical solutions for addressing urban heat.
• Presents a dystopian and overly dramatic vision that may be discouraging to viewers.
• Fails to offer concrete guidance or actionable steps for individuals or communities to take.

The Future of Architectural innovation

The Venice Architecture Biennale 2025 offered a glimpse into the future of architectural innovation,highlighting the importance of sustainability,adaptation,and collaboration in addressing global challenges. while the loss of Koyo Kouoh cast a shadow over the event, the Biennale served as a reminder of the power of architecture to shape a more resilient and equitable world.

Expert Quote: “Architecture is not just about building structures; it’s about creating environments that enhance human well-being and promote sustainability,” says Dr. emily Carter, a professor of sustainable architecture at MIT. “The Venice Biennale provides a crucial platform for sharing innovative ideas and inspiring action.”

Call to Action: What innovative architectural solutions do you think are most promising for addressing climate change? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Venice Architecture Biennale 2025: Insights on Innovation and Sustainability

Teh Venice Architecture Biennale 2025 recently concluded, showcasing groundbreaking architectural concepts focused on climate change, population growth, and the integration of natural, artificial, and collective intelligence. We spoke with Dr. Alistair Humphrey, a leading expert in sustainable architecture and urban planning, to delve deeper into the key themes, winners, and future implications of this prestigious event.

Time.news: Dr. Humphrey, thank you for joining us. The Venice Architecture Biennale 2025, curated by Carlo Ratti, centered around the theme “Intelligens. Natural. Artificial. Collective.” Could you elaborate on the significance of this theme in today’s architectural landscape?

Dr. Alistair Humphrey: Absolutely. Ratti’s theme is incredibly timely. It highlights the urgent need for architecture to address global challenges by leveraging the interconnectedness of natural ecosystems, advanced technology like AI, and collaborative human efforts. We’re seeing a shift from isolated, individual building designs towards holistic urban solutions that consider the habitat and community as integral parts of the architectural process. The Venice Architecture Biennale served as a crucial platform to explore this intersection.

Time.news: The Biennale also experienced a profound loss with the passing of Koyo Kouoh, the appointed curator for the next Art Biennale. What kind of consequences might this have in the future?

Dr. Alistair Humphrey: Kouoh’s death is undeniably a considerable setback. Her novel viewpoint could have brought fresh ideas and perspectives to the Art Biennale. It remains to be seen how the Venice biennale will honor her vision and carry forward her commitment to critical thinking about contemporary art.Her vision will be profoundly missed by the artistic community.

Time.news: One of the highlights was the Golden Lion awarded to diller Scofidio + Renfro for their “Canal Cafe” project.What makes this project stand out in terms of architectural innovation and sustainable architecture?

Dr.Alistair Humphrey: “Canal Cafe” is a brilliant example of sustainable architecture in action.It not only purifies water but also integrates seamlessly with the public life of Venice.The jury recognized its ability to function as a living laboratory,demonstrating how architectural design can contribute to both environmental sustainability and community engagement. Projects like “Canal Cafe’ embody the spirit of addressing environmental challenges with creative architectural solutions.

Time.news: Bahrain’s “Heatwave” project won the Golden Lion for best national participation, focusing on adaptation to extreme heat. How significant are these kinds of context-specific solutions in facing climate change?

Dr.Alistair Humphrey: Adaptation is a vital component in the fight against climate change, and Bahrain’s “Heatwave” demonstrates this perfectly. Their pavilion offered a functional solution for managing extreme heat by using geothermal wells and solar chimneys. This project exemplifies a climate-conscious design approach that prioritizes ecological responsibility and social fairness. It proves that innovative sustainable architecture can provide practical solutions for outdoor workspaces in hot climates.

Time.news: in contrast, Germany’s “stresstest” pavilion received a less favorable reception. What lessons can be learned from its approach and what it lacked?

Dr. Alistair Humphrey: The “Stresstest” pavilion effectively raised awareness about the impact of urban heat but fell short in offering actionable solutions. While highlighting the problem is significant, visitors are looking for concrete guidance and examples of how architecture can mitigate these issues. The lesson here is that climate change-focused architectural projects need to move beyond dystopian warnings and provide innovative, practical solutions that can inspire hope and action.

Time.news: The Silver Lion was awarded to “Calculating Empires” which displayed how technical and social structures have co-evolved over five centuries. How does this provide a context for AI?

Dr. Alistair Humphrey: “Calculating Empires” is vital in understanding the past advancements of AI. This research is necessary context to provide valuable context for understanding the ethical and social implications of AI in the 21st century.This historical viewpoint allows us to approach emerging systems of AI with the complete understanding that is required to address the social structure and technological forces that play into it.

Time.news: what advice would you give to aspiring architects and urban planners looking to contribute to a more sustainable future?

Dr. Alistair Humphrey: Embrace interdisciplinary collaboration.The challenges we face require architects to work closely with engineers, scientists, policymakers, and communities. Prioritize sustainability in every design decision, from material selection to energy efficiency. And, most importantly, stay curious and adaptable, always seeking new knowledge and innovative approaches to create buildings and cities that enhance human well-being and protect our planet. Stay informed of emerging architectural trends to become key leaders in sustainable architecture.