This year’s Architecture Biennale is really worth a visit. It is truly inspiring, whether you are an architect or not, and one of the best editions of the last years. It stands out for its focus, its relevance, and the way it keeps surprising you.
With the theme ‘Intelligens. Natural. Artificial. Collective.’, curator Carlo Ratti explores how different forms of intelligence – from nature and technology to craft and community – can help architecture adapt to the realities of a changing climate. What struck me this year was how clearly many pavilions brought the theme to life. Using materials, atmosphere, and visual storytelling, they encourage you to pause, reflect, and see the built environment in a new way.
Out of the more than 280 projects in the central exhibition, 66 national pavilions, and 11 collateral events, I have selected the top 8 pavilions which you shouldn’t miss this year. Three of these are located in the historic centre of Venice, and can hence be visited without a ticket to the Biennale.
Kingdom of Bahrain – Heatwave
Curator: Andrea Faraguna
Location: Arsenale
The pavilion of Bahrain won the Golden Lion for Best National Participation, which is the highest award given by the jury. As you enter, what immediately stands out are the huge cushions scattered throughout the space. They create an inviting setting to relax and cool down, which is exactly what the installation is all about.
The full-scale prototype of a mobile unit could be used to create a cool microclimate in a hot environment, for instance on a construction site or in a school. The ceiling and central column function as the climatisation unit. It combines traditional Bahraini cooling techniques with contemporary material and environmental research.
Holy See – Opera Aperta
Curators: Marina Otero Verzier, Giovanna Zabotti
Location: Complesso di Santa Maria Ausiliatrice, Fondamenta San Gioacchin, Castello 450
The pavilion of the Holy See received a Special Mention as a National Participation. The Holy See has chosen the Santa Maria Ausiliatrice complex as its new venue for the Biennale. This former hospice for pilgrims, hospital, and school dates back to the 12th century. The combination of yellow fabrics, scaffolding, and a grand piano immediately puts you in an intimate atmosphere.
During the Architecture Biennale, the complex will be restored by local artisans and specialised restorers, and visitors can watch the restoration work from Tuesday to Friday. The musical instruments (such as pianos and a harpsichord) in the different rooms can be reserved by musicians to rehearse. With a bit of luck, you may enjoy music in this serene setting.
Belgium – Building Biospheres
Curators: Bas Smets, Stefano Mancuso
Location: Giardini
The Belgian pavilion explores plant intelligence as a driving force in architecture. It reimagines buildings as artificial microclimates, where plants purify air, cool spaces, and enhance sustainability. The pavilion acts as a laboratory, demonstrating how nature can be integrated into urban environments to combat climate change.
The main hall of the pavilion contains more than 200 plants, creating a small indoor biosphere. Measuring equipment is tucked away between the plants. In the room behind the installation, you can watch the data in real time. This system controls the irrigation, lighting, and ventilation systems, optimising the growing conditions of the plants. The room on the left shows two examples of how biospheres can be used in construction projects.
Netherlands – Sidelined: A Space to Rethink Togetherness
Curator/Exhibitor: Amanda Pinatih, Gabriel Fontana
Location: Giardini
The Dutch pavilion transforms the iconic Rietveld Pavilion into a sports bar, with high tables and chairs that mimic bars, club shirts on the walls, display cabinets with trophies from unusual competitions, one long football table, newspapers lying around, and large television screens tuned to different channels.
Through a queer perspective, Sidelined challenges how architecture can design environments that foster inclusivity and new forms of togetherness. By rethinking how spaces influence identity and interaction, it offers a refreshing take on architecture as a social force.
Hungary – There is Nothing to See Here. Export Your Knowledge!
Curator: Márton Pintér
Location: Giardini
The Hungarian pavilion critiques architecture’s growing commercialisation and explores how architects are extending their skills beyond their profession, applying their architectural expertise in other industries. Through life-size installations of daily life scenes and bold storytelling, it reflects on how market demands reshape the role of architects, limit their creative freedom, and force many to reconsider their professional identity. The scenes are beautifully staged, and they will surprise you with a creative and engaging way to present statistics.
Even though their self-reflection on the profession of architecture might come across as critical, the underlying message is in line with Carlo Ratti’s vision on the role of architecture in the built environment.
Qatar – Beyti Betak. My home is your home. La mia casa è la tua casa.
Curators: Aurélien Lemonier, Sean Anderson
Locations: Giardini; Palazzo Franchetti, San Marco 2847
In their first participation in the Biennale, Qatar makes a very strong impression. Their pavilion is divided across two locations.
The main exhibition is presented in Palazzo Franchetti (next to the Accademia bridge), where works of 30 architects explore the theme of belonging and hospitality. It shows how contemporary architecture responds to individual and community needs in spaces such as oasis, social housing, museums, and mosques.
In Giardini, the bamboo Community Centre refers to the disaster responsive project of the Heritage Foundation of Pakistan. The structure stands on the exact location where Qatar will build its permanent pavilion by 2030.
Kingdom of Morocco – Materiae Palimpsest
Curators: Khalil Morad El Ghilali, El Mehdi Belyasmine
Location: Arsenale
The pavilion of Morocco highlights the importance of traditional construction techniques as the basis for future methods.
The pavilion draws you in, encouraging you to wander among the stone pillars. It feels like walking around on a construction site, with the scent of earth and wood dust still lingering in the air. In the middle, holograms of two artisans show you traditional crafts. Surrounding the pavilion, textile creations made by Soumiya Jalal create a secluded feeling. Tools used in traditional craft hang from the ceiling, creating a striking overhead display. The installation makes you lose track of time as there’s something new to discover with every glance.
Venice – Fondazione Masieri
Location: Fondazione Masieri, Calle del Remer, Dorsoduro 3900
The exhibition in Palazzo Fondazione Masieri is one of the projects of the Venice pavilion which are scattered around the city. It gives you a unique opportunity to visit a masterpiece of Carlo Scarpa, one of the most influential Venetian architects of the 20th century.
This stunning architectural setting is the perfect backdrop for the Architectural Landscapes exhibition. The bronze flower-shaped sculptures by Gianluca Pacchioni, combined with the Pinton green tapestry on the wall, create the impression of a garden. The glass sculptures of Perrin & Perrin are delicate and contrast beautifully with the brutal design of Carlo Scarpa.
The entrance is free, but reservation is required via venezia@negropontes-galerie.com.
More information about this palazzo can be found in ‘A walk across Dorsoduro with Federico and Paolo’.
The pavilion shown in the banner is the United States pavilion, which didn’t make it to this top 8 but still worth a visit. The wooden porch built in front of the pavilion makes a powerful first impression.
If you want to know more about these pavilions, or find out which other pavilions and projects I recommend, check out my book ‘The insider guide to the Venice Architecture Biennale 2025’. It offers an authentic perspective on 26 carefully selected pavilions, projects and exhibitions, with practical tips to make your visit unforgettable.
Don’t forget to read my posts ‘What to Expect from the Architecture Biennale 2025’ for more details on curator Carlo Ratti and the theme ‘Intelligens. Natural. Artificial. Collective.’ and the national pavilions, and ‘How to prepare your visit to the Architecture Biennale 2025’ for practical tips to plan your visit.
Have fun exploring this Architecture Biennale!