A scale model of AquaPraça, a special project by CRA – Carlo Ratti Associati and Höweler + Yoon, has been unveiled at the Venice Biennale. Conceived as a gathering space for global climate dialogue, the floating platform explores a new symbiosis between architecture and the environment, harnessing natural intelligence and responsive technologies to adapt to rising sea levels. Following its debut at the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale, the platform will embark on a transatlantic journey to Brazil, where it will form an integral part of the Italian Pavilion at COP30 (Belém, Brazil, 10–21 November 2025), the United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties. The initiative is organised in partnership with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security, and in collaboration with the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, CIHEAM Bari, the World Bank Group’s Connect4Climate programme, and Bloomberg Philanthropies. The project aims to share Italy’s reflections on architecture and climate action with a global audience. After COP30, Italy will donate the AquaPraça installation to the Brazilian government, where it will be transformed into a community space promoting civic engagement on climate issues.
Find out more: https://carlorattiassociati.com/project/aquapraca-a-floating-plaza/
