In the context of the 19th International Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia, themed “Intelligens. Natural. Artificial. Collective.”, this installation explores the invisible presence of water within our built environment, society, and daily life.
Titled “The Architecture of Virtual Water”, 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 pavilion’s structure is formed by a sculptural wooden skeleton spelling out the word AQUA, clad with translucent paper walls made from recycled industrial filter paper. These hand-crafted surfaces, produced in Catalonia using solar-powered methods, embody a commitment to sustainability, craftsmanship, and lightness—physically and conceptually.
Inside, the installation becomes immersive through an interplay of digital projections and an original musical composition. Interactive 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 waterspace, 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.
