A groundbreaking floating plaza designed to address climate change and rising sea levels has made its debut at the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale before embarking on a transatlantic journey to Brazil. The innovative structure, called 'AquaPraça,' was created by Carlo Ratti Associati and Höweler + Yoon as a floating gathering space for global climate dialogue, set to serve as a centerpiece at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, scheduled for November 10-21, 2025.
The floating platform launched on September 5, 2025, at the 19th International Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia, where it will form part of the Italian Pavilion presentation. Following its appearance at COP30, the structure is intended to become a permanent floating landmark in the Amazon region as part of Belém's cultural infrastructure, providing a lasting symbol of climate action and architectural innovation.
Described by its designers as a 'cultural plaza,' AquaPraça harnesses responsive technologies and employs Archimedes' principle to adapt dynamically to rising water levels and varying occupancy demands. The floating platform spans over 400 square meters (approximately 4,000 square feet) and consists of a submersible structure that operates based on the fundamental principles of equilibrium, displacement, and buoyancy. Its sophisticated balance system functions by holding and releasing water, continuously calibrating itself to maintain minimal freeboard in relation to the surrounding water level.
This innovative design means that visitors will experience sea level fluctuations at eye level, creating a visceral understanding of climate change impacts. The platform can accommodate over 150 people for various activities including exhibitions, workshops, symposia, and cultural events, making it a versatile space for climate education and dialogue.
COP30 President André Corrêa do Lago described the project as a 'floating forum,' highlighting how it aligns closely with the conference's vision of bringing climate discussions directly to communities affected by rising waters. Carlo Ratti, who serves as curator of this year's Venice Architecture Biennale, drew historical parallels by referencing Aldo Rossi's 1979 Teatro del Mondo, which was launched at the first Architecture Biennale. 'In 1979, Aldo Rossi launched the Teatro del Mondo at the first Biennale Architettura, positing that architecture could engage with the past,' Ratti explained. 'Today, AquaPraça shows how architecture can engage with the future, by responding to climate and engaging with nature rather than resisting it.'
J. Meejin Yoon, co-founder of Höweler + Yoon, emphasized the platform's dual purpose, describing AquaPraça as '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.' This statement underscores the project's role not just as a physical structure, but as an educational tool and catalyst for climate awareness.
The ambitious project has garnered support from multiple international organizations and government agencies. It is being launched in partnership with Italy's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, as well as the Ministry of Environment and Energy Security. Additional support comes from Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bloomberg Philanthropies, the World Bank's Connect4Climate program, CIHEAM Bari, and several other partners and collaborators, demonstrating the global commitment to addressing climate challenges through innovative architecture.
AquaPraça is part of a broader theme at the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale that explores the relationship between water and architecture. Other notable projects include the Uruguayan Pavilion, which proposes that humanity may be entering a new epoch called the 'Hydrocene' or age of water, and the Mexican Pavilion, which examines chinampas, a Mesoamerican floating agricultural system with a history spanning more than four thousand years. These projects collectively highlight architecture's evolving relationship with water and climate adaptation.
The floating plaza represents a new approach to climate dialogue, moving beyond traditional conference venues to create immersive experiences that directly connect participants with the realities of environmental change. As it prepares for its journey from Venice to the Amazon, AquaPraça stands as both a practical demonstration of adaptive architecture and a powerful symbol of international cooperation in addressing one of humanity's greatest challenges.
