Dear designboom reader,

The Venice Architecture Biennale 2025 is in full swing, running until November 23rd. Days before the opening, we spoke with renowned architects on-site about their exhibitions. Carlo Ratti, this edition’s curator, leads our conversations, who dives into the biennial’s theme: Intelligens. Natural. Artificial. Collective.

Carbon footprint and microclimates become points of discussion, as seen in Bas Smets’ biospheres in the Belgian Pavilion and Alejandro Aravena’s net-zero prototype in a Venetian courtyard. Other exhibitions investigate historical backgrounds, such as Ma Yansong’s Co-Exist show in the China Pavilion and the essence of porchness in the U.S. Pavilion. The edition also sees the debut of Oman’s first pavilion, which explores the customary Omani gathering space.

Stay on the pulse by following our coverage on @venice.architecture.biennale.

Matthew Burgos | Editor