In 2025, Venice is proudly hosting the 19th International Architecture Exhibition, running from Saturday, 10 May, to Sunday, 23 November 2025. The pre-opening is scheduled for 8 and 9 May. As we like to emphasize every year, this event marks a period of vibrant cultural relevance that will add value and charm to your stay in the city.

The Venues of the Architecture Biennale

Curated by architect and engineer Carlo Ratti, the 2025 edition is titled Intelligens. Natural. Artificial. Collective.. Among the venues of the event are some historical ones: the Giardini della Biennale ーjust a short stroll from our hotel ー the Arsenale and Forte Marghera.

The ongoing renovation of the Central Pavilion has led to redefining the spaces of the exhibition, enhancing the significance of Venice’s neighborhoods and narrow streets. This year, the Biennale and the city will be more connected than ever with their indissoluble relationship playing a central role.

The Theme of the Exhibition

This edition centers on the crucial theme of adapting to climate change. For decades, the architectural community has focused on mitigating its impacts. But this strategy is no longer sufficient and an additional stepーalthough unsettlingーmust be taken: ​​adaptation.

Quoting Carlo Ratti: “Adaptation requires a radical shift in our approach. This year’s Exhibition, Intelligens. Natural. Artificial. Collective., invites diverse types of intelligence to collaborate in rethinking the built environment. The title of the Exhibition itself, Intelligens, contains the Latin word gens (“people”) and invites us to experiment beyond the narrow focus on Artificial Intelligence and digital technologies.”

Inclusivity and Collaboration

Intelligens aims to raise the bar of innovation in several ways. For the first time, the Exhibition is bringing together over 750 participants. Leading figures from areas that are both diverse and complementary: architecture, engineering, mathematics, climate science, but also philosophy, art, culinary arts, programming, writing, agriculture and fashion. The Biennale will act as a dynamic laboratory, bringing together experts across various dimensions of intelligence.

The core principle behind this initiative emphasizes inclusivity and collaboration as essential for a successful adaptation. Inclusivity is reflected not only in the interdisciplinary curatorial team but also in the multigenerational participation in the event, which contributes to enriching the exhibition with diverse and multifaceted perspectives.

A Sneak Peek

The 2025 Venice Biennale will welcome 66 countries, including four new participants: Azerbaijan, Oman, Qatar and Togo.

Here’s a glimpse of what to expect from the Italian pavilions:

• The Italian Pavilion, curated by Guendalina Salimei, presents TERRÆ AQUÆ. A project that navigates the relationship between Italy and the sea.
• The Pavilion of the Holy See, located in the Complex of Santa Maria Ausiliatrice, presents the exhibition Opera aperta, curated by Marina Otero Verzier and Giovanna Zabotti.
• The Venice Pavilion, located in the Giardini, showcases the exhibition Biblioteche. Costruendo l’intelligenza veneziana, which extends into various institutional spaces and at the Iuav University.

As per tradition, the Biennale is one of the most anticipated events in the city and the program promises a rich ensemble of topical subjects, avant-garde ideas and food for thoughts.