Hosted in Venice and curated by Carlo Ratti, the exhibition opens to cross-pollination and disciplines beyond architecture, in search of a collective solution to the inexorable decline of the planet.
In an era marked by geopolitical instability, irreversible climate change, technological acceleration, demographic growth and social inequality, architecture is called to respond with intelligence. Not only as technical capability, but as critical awareness able to discern, choose and evaluate. It must acknowledge its impact on the natural system and on cities, which are increasingly the nerve centers of human life. These are the premises behind the theme of the 19th International Architecture Exhibition in Venice, open until 23 November, titled “Intelligens. Naturale. Artificiale. Collettiva.” and curated by Carlo Ratti.
The Theme of the International Architecture Exhibition in Venice 
“Adaptation requires a fundamental change in architectural practice. In times of profound change in society, architecture must address multiple generations and multiple disciplines, from technological sciences to the arts,” says Ratti. “Authorship needs to be rethought and become more inclusive. Flexible and dynamic like the world we are designing for.” It is no longer sufficient to “mitigate” environmental damage through sustainable practices; the task is to act and find concrete solutions.
For the first time, the exhibition welcomes more than 300 contributions from over 750 participants: architects, engineers, mathematicians, climatologists, philosophers, artists, cooks, coders, writers, artisans, farmers, fashion designers… a kaleidoscope of intelligences that redefines the very idea of design.
The Thematic Areas of the 2025 Venice Biennale
The beating heart of the exhibition is the Arsenale, an exceptional venue by virtue of its beauty and uniqueness. Once the largest pre-industrial production center, where up to two thousand workers built the fleets of La Serenissima, it now stands as a symbol of dialogue and reflection.
Visitors move through three thematic worlds: Natural Intelligence, Artificial Intelligence and Collective Intelligence. Each section is conceived as a modular, fractal space, a living organism that links projects at every scale, enabling personalized paths and unexpected interactions. The exhibition culminates in the Artiglierie with Out, which looks to outer space and other galaxies as a frontier for addressing crises on Earth.
Less incisive, by contrast, is the contribution of individual nations at the Giardini. The Italian Pavilion is closed for renovation, many others are absent: a sign of uncertain times, political divisions or perhaps the end of a somewhat traditional idea of the exhibition. As Ratti suggests: “This richness of contributions requires a new approach to authorship. Intelligens challenges the tradition that casts the architect as sole creator, relegating others to supporting roles.”
In Venice, a Reflection on the Future of the Planet
The 2025 Venice Biennale extends beyond the Giardini Pavilions or the Arsenale. It lives in ideas and special projects scattered across Venice, hosted in extraordinary buildings that are often inaccessible to the public. These places become discoveries in their own right and spaces for sharing. A living laboratory open to the city.
Venice, among the cities most threatened by climate change, is a fitting setting for this exploration: an experiment in collective intelligence, where different voices and visions interweave to imagine the future.
Photo courtesy of Andrea Pancino