The Architecture of Virtual Water, Biennale di Venezia 2025

All projectsThe Architecture of Virtual Water, Venice Biennale of Architecture 2025

The Architecture of Virtual Water

Italy

Benedetta Tagliabue with EMBT Architects presents an immersive installation on the invisibility of water at the Venice Biennale of Architecture 2025: "The Architecture of Virtual Water" will be displayed at Corderie in Arsenale, Venice, from May 10th to November 23rd 2025

Displayed at the 19th Venice Architecture Biennale, the installation "The Architecture of Virtual Water” offers an immersive, multidisciplinary exploration of our complex relationship with water — especially in its most elusive, invisible forms.

Presented within the framework of this year’s theme, "Intelligens. Natural. Artificial. Collective.”, the project brings together voices from architecture, science, music, and digital visual arts. Led by Benedetta Tagliabue – EMBT Architects, in collaboration with Jampel Dell’Angelo (Water Governance), Yeshi Silvano Namkhai (Music), and Ati Sphere (Digital Arts), the installation invites reflection on water as a vital yet often overlooked resource.

Year

2025

Project

The Architecture of Virtual Water - Venice Biennale of Architecture 2025

Architect

Benedetta Tagliabue - EMBT

Pictures

Lluc Miralles

Crafted with sustainability in mind, this unique installation features a wooden structure spelling AQUA, with walls made from hand-crafted, repurposed filter paper. Inside, interactive digital art and original music immerse visitors in a sensory, emotional journey rooted in scientific research and environmental awareness.

The design embraces circular principles — from recyclable materials to solar‐powered production — and spotlights the value and crisis of our global water resources. Conceived for easy dismantling and reuse beyond Venice, it will continue its mission through public exhibitions, symposia, and collaborative events in Barcelona.

To illuminate the installation’s delicate paper shell in a soft, warm white glow, we provided an array of HALF MOON RECESSED luminaires (2700 K). Discreetly embedded around the base, these in-ground fixtures highlight the installation’s countless paper facets with understated elegance and emotional depth.

We’re very proud and happy to partner with EMBT Architects as co-sponsors, helping bring their vision to life in this world-renowned exhibition.

Products installed:
20 x HALF MOON RECESSED Frame, with narrow optics, 2700K

Credits:
THE ARCHITECTURE OF VIRTUAL WATER
Architecture: Benedetta Tagliabue - EMBT
Concept: Jampel Dell´Angelo
Music Composition: Yeshi Silvano Namkhai
Interactive Digital Media Creation and Direction: Ati Sphere
Pictures: Lluc Miralles