In the context of the 19th International Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia, themed “Intelligens. Natural. Artificial. Collective.”, curated by Carlo Ratti, this installation explores the invisible presence of water within our built environment, society and daily life.
The Installation “THE ARCHITECTURE OF VIRTUAL WATER¨was created by an interdisciplinary team, merging Architecture (Benedetta Tagliabue), Science (Jampel Dell’Angelo), Music (Yeshi Silvano Namkhai) and Digital Visual Arts (Ati Sphere). The installation offers a sensory journey into the hidden dimensions of water—those that exist not as flowing rivers or visible infrastructure, but as embedded systems within our socio-environmental networks. Inspired by scientific research and artistic experimentation, the installation invites visitors to reflect on the essential yet unseen role water plays in sustaining life and shaping contemporary societies.
The Architecture of Virtual Water is a sinuous pavilion formed by a letter-shaped wooden structures spelling the word AQUA (Latin for water), while the walls are made of upcycled industrial filter paper, assembled with a “honeycomb” technique. These hand-crafted surfaces, produced in Catalonia using solar-powered methods, embody a commitment to sustainability, craftsmanship and experimentation.
Inside, the installation becomes immersive through an interplay of digital projections and an acousmatic composition. Digital visuals and spatial soundscapes respond to the movement of visitors, creating a layered experience that transforms scientific data and ecological awareness into emotional, collective insight.
The concept behind this work is grounded in the platform w a t e r s p a c e, an initiative aimed at fostering interdisciplinary dialogue on urgent water-related issues through the convergence of architecture, science, art and politics.
Designed for disassembly and reuse, the installation embraces circular principles and will continue its public engagement journey beyond Venice, with a second exhibition scheduled in Barcelona.
This project reflects an ongoing exploration of architecture’s role in addressing contemporary ecological challenges through innovation, collaboration and poetic expression.
Authorial Collaborators:
Benedetta Tagliabue, Architecture
Jampel Dell´Angelo, Concept
Yeshi Silvano Namkhai, Music composition
Ati Sphere, Interactive digital media creation and direction
Project Director: Marzia Faranda
Producer: Sara Manfredini Taube
Design Team: Sofia Dini, Tomas Chroustovsky, Nick Patzel, Giulia Sambiase Sanseverino
Photography: Lluc Miralles
Models and construction assistant: Gabriele Rotelli
Construction credits:
Builders: TaGi 2000
Wood sourcing: Salvador Matas
Paper and wood preparation: Manual Color
Metal components: Estmart
Sound Mixing/Additional Sound Design: Alessandro Di Maio
With Special Thanks to:
IVM, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Silvia Dainese
Sponsors:
Filtros Anoia, Marc Sala
Roca
Aigües de Barcelona
Institut Ramon Llull
Gobierno de España – Ministerio de Vivienda y Agenda Urbana
Griven
Artemide
Amsterdam Sustainability Institute
