A groundbreaking floating plaza designed to address climate change and sea level rise has made its debut at the Venice Architecture Biennale before embarking on a journey to Brazil for the COP30 climate conference. The innovative project, named AquaPraça, was created through a collaboration between Italian studio Carlo Ratti Associati and US firm Höweler + Yoon Architecture.

The 400-square-meter plaza features a unique design that is partly submerged in water, with sloping floors that create varying levels of interaction with the aquatic environment. The structure includes ramps that form higher levels serving as lookout points, while lower areas bring visitors close to the water's surface. A distinctive rectangular cut-out in the center creates a water feature that brings the surrounding water directly into the space.

"AquaPraça lets visitors meet the sea at eye level," explained Eric Höweler, co-founder of Höweler + Yoon Architecture. "Its sloping surfaces and shifting levels embody a delicate equilibrium." His co-founder, J Meejin Yoon, emphasized the plaza's deeper purpose, stating that "It's a platform, both literal and figurative, for deepening our collective understanding and experience of sea level rise and the impacts of climate change on global cities and communities, and seeking collective solutions."

Built in collaboration with intergovernmental organization CIHEAM Bari and the World Bank Group's Connect4Climate, the bright white platform was specifically designed as a space for gathering and discussing climate, architecture, and environmental issues. With a capacity of over 150 people, AquaPraça will host workshops, talks, exhibitions, and various events focused on environmental awareness and climate action.

The floating structure incorporates advanced engineering that allows it to hold and release water to maintain a continuous level with the water it floats in. This innovative design enables the plaza to adapt to changing water levels while providing a stable platform for activities. Images captured the dramatic moment when AquaPraça was towed into the Arsenale in Venice to become part of this year's biennale, which was curated by Carlo Ratti Associati founder Carlo Ratti.

Following its presentation at the Venice Architecture Biennale, which opened on May 10, the floating plaza will be relocated to Belém, Brazil, where it will form part of the Italian Pavilion at the COP30 climate conference in November. After the conference concludes, Italy plans to donate the plaza to the Brazilian government as a permanent public space in Belém, ensuring its continued use as a platform for environmental education and community engagement.

"AquaPraça shows how architecture can engage with the future by responding to climate and engaging with nature rather than resisting it," said Carlo Ratti, emphasizing the project's philosophy of working with natural forces rather than against them. This approach represents a significant shift in architectural thinking about how structures can adapt to and coexist with changing environmental conditions.

The Venice Architecture Biennale has featured several other projects that respond to the waterside location, including a structure by US practice Diller Scofidio + Renfro that transforms canal water into coffee, and a metallic bridge and transport hub created through a collaboration between car manufacturer Porsche and the Norman Foster Foundation. These projects collectively demonstrate innovative approaches to water-based architecture and climate adaptation.

Floating architecture has gained increasing attention as cities worldwide grapple with rising sea levels and climate change impacts. Recent examples featured in architectural publications include a shipping container sauna in California and an entire residential neighborhood in Rotterdam, showcasing the growing diversity and sophistication of water-based architectural solutions.