Tempo Spazio Esistenza, Exhibition European Cultural Centre, Venice

scheduled

Tempo Spazio Esistenza

From 10 May to 23 November 2025

European Cultural Centre

Riva del Carbon, Venice

Temporarily closed

Verified profile

The next chapter of the architecture biennale Time Space Existence will take place from May 10 to November 23, 2025, with press previews and opening events on May 8 and 9. Organized by the European Cultural Centre (ECC) in its iconic spaces of Palazzo Bembo, Palazzo Mora, and Giardini della Marinaressa, the seventh edition of the exhibition brings together 207 participants from 52 countries, reaffirming Venice as a global platform for architectural dialogue and experimentation. Architects, designers, artists, academics, and international researchers are invited to respond to the themes Repair, Regenerate, and Reuse. Presenting a wide range of projects that span disciplines, scales, and cultural contexts, the exhibition addresses some of the most urgent environmental, social, and cultural challenges of our time. United by the belief that architecture has both the responsibility and the power to shape a better future, "Time Space Existence" highlights the fundamental role of architects and designers as agents of positive change, capable of leading the transition towards more sustainable, inclusive, and regenerative ways of living. Rachele De Stefano, Head of Architecture at ECC Italy, states: "We all know that the built environment has a significant impact on environmental degradation. However, it also has enormous potential to become a driver of positive transformation. This year, continuing the path started in the previous edition, we invite participants to go further, presenting projects, ideas, and reflections on how architecture can adopt a regenerative approach. This means prioritizing repair and embracing reuse as a fundamental principle of contemporary practice." Architecture as an agent of environmental and social repair. This year's edition goes beyond simply reflecting on how to build more sustainably, to focus on concrete applications that make architecture a driver of environmental and social repair. The exhibited projects go beyond theoretical elaboration, proposing operational strategies based on adaptive reuse, material innovation, and community-driven intervention models. From the requalification of existing structures to the reconnection between communities and cultural and ecological heritage, the projects on display demonstrate how architecture can take an active role in requalification and regeneration. In addition to realized projects and practical solutions, the exhibition also welcomes speculative proposals, academic research, and visionary concepts that imagine bold futures. These contributions challenge conventional horizons and present architecture as a discipline capable of generating systemic and positive change, fostering debate on how we can advance towards a more regenerative, fair, and resilient world. Vuild addresses demographic decline in rural areas of Japan and challenges related to forest management through the use of local resources, while in urban areas, it responds to environmental issues by optimizing construction through digital fabrication. In parallel, Collectif Carré Noir imagines a fictional utopia where the reterritorialization of human practices redefines territorial planning and social dynamics. Promoting a concept of territorial heritage, durable structures arise from the coevolution between man and his environment. Holcim, in partnership with Pritzker Prize winner Alejandro Aravena and his Chilean architecture studio Elemental, presents a new prototype that could become a reference model for accessible and scalable housing construction. The collaboration will combine Elemental's experience in resilient and accessible construction with Holcim's advanced sustainable concrete solutions. Indigenous knowledge and community practices. Several participants draw inspiration from indigenous architectural practices, which by their nature focus on sustainability, intelligent use of resources, and a deep respect for the natural environment. Blouin Orzes focuses on the needs of Inuit communities in northern regions of Canada, highlighting the gap between contemporary construction techniques and traditional ones inherited from nomadic culture. Through participatory architecture, the non-profit organization Semillas, based in Lima, combines architecture and pedagogy to promote social transformation and make the Amazon rainforest community a protagonist of change. While Delft University of Technology presents a film that collects practices, stories, and projects based on indigenous intelligence, proposing an approach in which the project develops together with the complex ecosystems we inhabit, rather than in contrast to them. Nature as a mentor and material. In the exhibition, nature emerges not only as a source of inspiration but also as an active collaborator. Buildings are not seen as isolated entities but as integral parts of a larger ecosystem. The Canadian studio Henriquez Partners Architects, in collaboration with ARUP, explores a narrative on the climate crisis inspired by the last remaining specimen of Hexactinellida sponge Symplasma, found off the northwest coast of the Pacific in Canada. The project features a collaboration with Canaletto and its works, monumental sculptures of marine sponges in 3D printed glass and a proposal for Vancouver's first supertall skyscraper, creating a story where architecture draws inspiration from both the form and the symbiotic essence of nature. Connecting research, collaboration, and practical applications, the Virginia Tech Honors College and Cloud 9 present "UnEarthed / Second Nature / PolliNATION," a pavilion designed to restore biodiversity in the lagoon ecosystem of Venice, highlighting the essential role of pollinators. Finally, MVRDV, ARUP, and Metadecor propose an installation that dynamically reacts to sunlight and shadow, establishing an evolving dialogue between architecture and the natural environment. Rethinking resources, conservation, and craftsmanship. The exhibition also highlights how contemporary architects are reclaiming local materials, craftsmanship, and cultural heritage. The Mexican studio Materia focuses on the conservation and restoration of historically valuable buildings, integrating them harmoniously into their natural context with deep respect for historical and environmental heritage. A interiors presents an immersive installation and a film inspired by a recent farm project in the desert of Riyadh, where tradition and modernity merge through the use of natural materials and local craftsmanship, creating a welcoming, contemporary, and harmonious space. In parallel, María Isabel Paz reimagines the urban fragments of Quito as complex visual narratives, creating hand-knotted carpets that keep ancient artisanal techniques alive. Technology and circularity. Participants continue to explore the evolution of the relationship between technology, materials, and sustainability. Over the past three years, the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape (SAPL) at the University of Calgary, in collaboration with Zaha Hadid Architects, Fast + Epp, Forest Product Innovation, the Circular Factory, and the Laboratory for Integrative Design, has developed large-scale adaptive and customizable modular systems designed to be disassembled, reused, and reconfigured. By integrating local materials and hybrid assemblies, the project promotes the principles of the circular economy, redefining the concept of sustainable construction. Coburg University uses scrap wood from the Franconian Forest to create a pavilion that skillfully blends traditional craftsmanship and contemporary design, reducing the environmental impact of the project itself. Similarly, GRAS and the Majorcan brand Huguet explore the potential of Venetian tiles, giving new life to waste materials through innovative modular structures. Regenerative landscapes and decolonized futures. Furthermore, participants explore the intersection between ecological restoration and cultural reappropriation, highlighting how these processes can contribute to creating more sustainable and just environments. In this context, landscapes are reimagined as dynamic and self-sufficient systems, capable of regenerating degraded ecosystems and, at the same time, challenging colonial practices of territorial management. Projects like Plantation Futures, by Harvard graduates Celina Abba and Enrique Cavelier, focus on the erased narratives of those who were enslaved and non-human natural agents, questioning colonial perspectives on conservation and reflecting on who is preserving heritage and for what purpose. Pragma, Design & More, and Mozses, with Roots of Hope, imagine a regenerative future for Gaza, mapping its complex historical stratification and reconnecting the population to the territory through ecological and social repair. Designing for well-being. A strong commitment to anthropocentric design, inclusivity, and environmental awareness unites several projects on display. Thomas Jefferson University explores the relationship between health, architecture, and sustainability, promoting adaptable spaces that foster overall well-being. The interactive installation "Tactile" by the DLR Group rethinks environments for neurodivergent individuals, prioritizing sensory interaction and accessibility. In parallel, Adjaye Associates, together with the Wish4Life Foundation, propose an innovative project for the International Children's Cancer Research Centre (ICCRC) in Ghana, combining African architectural knowledge, biophilic design, and a strong focus on community engagement. Together, these projects highlight the transformative power of thoughtful and conscious design in redefining spaces dedicated to health, inclusion, and living, fostering connection, comfort, and sustainability. A living laboratory for the future of architecture. With over 200 contributions addressing major global challenges, "Time Space Existence 2025" emerges as a living laboratory where projects and ideas come together to question, redefine, and rethink the role of architecture today. The exhibition invites visitors to reflect on how architecture and design can be powerful tools to repair dysfunctional systems, regenerate natural and social environments, and creatively reuse existing resources. The European Cultural Centre is proud to offer a platform for these proposals, contributing to shaping a future where architecture plays a transformative role in society.

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