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Venice Architecture Biennale 2025 Unveils 'Intelligens' Theme, Emphasizing AI and Climate Crisis

architecture-design · 2026-04-20

Curator Carlo Ratti, a professor at MIT and Politecnico di Milano, revealed the theme for the 19th Venice Architecture Biennale in 2025, titled 'Intelligens. Natural. Artificial. Collective.'. The word 'gens' translates to 'people', highlighting the importance of collective knowledge. This exhibition aims to integrate art, engineering, biology, and data science to address urban and climate challenges, structured around four key principles: 'Transdisciplinarity', 'Living Lab', 'Space for Ideas', and 'Circularity Protocol'. Ratti, alongside Biennale President Pietrangelo Buttafuoco, outlined their vision for confronting digital and environmental issues. Additionally, the Biennale College Architettura is accepting submissions from students under 30 until 21 June 2024, with eight selected projects to receive €20,000 grants and be showcased after a September 2024 workshop. Ratti also co-founded CRA and directs the Senseable City Lab.

Key facts

  • The 19th Venice Architecture Biennale in 2025 is titled 'Intelligens. Natural. Artificial. Collective.'
  • Curator Carlo Ratti chose the Latin word 'intelligens' to emphasize collective intelligence and AI.
  • Four pillars guide the event: Transdisciplinarity, Living Lab, Space for Ideas, and Circularity Protocol.
  • The Central Pavilion at the Giardini is closed for renovation, prompting satellite projects in Venice.
  • Biennale College Architettura invites global participants under 30 to submit projects by 21 June 2024.
  • Eight selected projects will receive €20,000 grants and be included in the exhibition after a September 2024 workshop.
  • Carlo Ratti teaches at MIT and Politecnico di Milano and directs the Senseable City Lab.
  • Biennale President Pietrangelo Buttafuoco endorsed Ratti's vision for addressing digital flux and climate crisis.

Entities

Artists

  • Carlo Ratti
  • Pietrangelo Buttafuoco

Institutions

  • La Biennale di Venezia
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
  • Politecnico di Milano
  • Senseable City Lab
  • CRA

Locations

  • Venice
  • Italy
  • Giardini
  • Massachusetts
  • United States
  • Milan

Sources