Filter bubbles and echo chambers are fragmenting society at an alarming rate. At the Biennale Architettura 2025, curated by Carlo Ratti, VOLUME presents Bursting Bubbles, three interventions that bolster the connections between architecture and the public at large.

Explore the Bursting Bubbles triptych

Expanding Biennale Architettura 2025’s reach to a wider audience

The Biennale Architettura 2025 is an important platform for the exchange of ideas among the architecture community. As general tourism in Venice continues to grow, there is an opportunity to engage more actively with this broader audience. Reaching out to general visitors in new ways could help extend the impact of Biennale Architettura 2025 – especially since many of the addressed topics, such as the climate crisis – are highly relevant to them as well. At the same time, critics and visitors often find the exhibition overwhelming in its scope. The intimidating volume and presentation of content at design festivals and biennials form a significant impediment to the overall visitor experience.

Curator / VOLUME editor in chief Stephan Petermann: “Instead of adding more content to Biennale Architettura 2025 it seems more useful to develop innovative formats or agency for different visitors to help them find what they are looking for or find additional ways of connecting the values presented at the 19^th International Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia outside of its bubble.”

Bursting beyond the Biennale Architettura 2025’s bubble

Bursting Bubbles, VOLUME’s contribution to the 19th International Architecture Exhibition, challenges La Biennale di Venezia’s echo chamber and encourages connecting architectural discourse with society at large. The presentation features three interconnected initiatives: Circular Souvenirs, Bursting Bubbles Conversations, and a pilot for The Ultimate Companion to the Biennale Architettura 2025. Curated by Stephan Petermann with Marieke van den Heuvel and Francesco degl’Innocenti, Bursting Bubbles benefits from the generous support of the Creative Industries Fund NL, the Foundation for Architecture and DigitALL.

Colophon

Curators: Stephan Petermann with Marieke van den Heuvel and Francesco Degl’Innocenti
Archis Director: Lilet Breddels
Graphic design: Marieke van den Heuvel
With the additional support of: The Creative Industries Fund NL, Foundation for Architecture
Publisher: Archis, in collaboration with Nieuwe Instituut.
Special thanks to: Evina Zarmpouti

Circular souvenirs:
Participants: Falsework, ZUS (Zones Urbaines Sensibles), XML, Superuse studios, Inside Outside, HanHe Studio & Tsinghua University School of Architecture EPMA, Nudus, Studio Nauta, La-di-da with Marc Barreda & Re3 Glass, Paolo Cardini, MISC.

Bursting Bubbles Conversations:
Editor / graphic designer: María Mazzanti
Conversation # 1: Zuloark / Roger Bernat
Conversation # 2: Rem Koolhaas / Sjeng Scheijen
Conversation # 3: Ippolito Pestellini Laparelli / Rimini Protokoll
Conversation # 4: Ethel Baraona Pohl / Monica Bello
Conversation # 5: Ludwig Engel / David Zilber

The Ultimate Biennale Companion:
Developed in collaboration with Innervation

Practical information

Location: Giardini, VOLUME folly
Launch / press preview: May 9, 2-4 pm at the VOLUME folly, or by appointment from 8-10 May.
Circular Souvenirs Happy Hours: May 8 – 10, daily between 10-12 am and 2-4 pm, Giardini, VOLUME folly
Aperitivo in collaboration with Nieuwe Instituut: May 9, 5-7 pm, Bar alle Colonette, Via Garibaldi 1828

For more information or interview requests with the curators and/or participants, please contact:
Michelle Gulickx at pr@archis.org / 0031 6 – 42 52 65 61.

Practical information Biennale Architettura 2025

From 10 May to 23 November 2025.
Closed on Mondays, except 12 May, 2 June, 21 July, 1 September, 20 October, and 17 November.

Location: Giardini, VOLUME folly

Summer hours (from 10 May to 28 September):
Giardini: 11 am – 7 pm (last admission 6:45 pm)

Autumn hours (from 30 September to 23 November):
Giardini and Arsenale: 10 am – 6 pm (last admission 5:45 pm)

Ticket link