Three creative Biennale ideas for coping with climate change

Ancient Wisdom Meets Modern Design at the Venice Architecture Biennale 2025

At the Venice Architecture Biennale 2025 , Mexico’s pavilion offers a striking reconstruction of the ancient chinampas—floating agricultural islands built by layering mud and vegetation. Originating over 4,000 years ago in Mesoamerica, these cultivated islands still exist in Xochimilco, south of Mexico City. The curators of the Chinampa Veneta Collective highlight how this sustainable farming method, maintained by generations of chinampa families, could serve as a global model for ecological resilience. Architect Jachen Schleich describes it as a rare example of human intervention that fosters biodiversity, rather than depleting it.

Learning from the Past to Shape the Future

Brazil’s pavilioncontinues the theme of ancestral knowledge, focusing on the Amazon rainforest. Curators reveal archaeological evidence of ancient, sedentary societies that shaped the forest through balanced, biodegradable construction. Architect Matheus Seco explains how these communities managed nature harmoniously, leaving behind fertile ecosystems. This philosophy is echoed in modern-day Afuá, a city in Pará where residents live in stilt houses, with walkways and bridges to navigate seasonal floods. With a ban on cars, Afuá exemplifies sustainable urban design that adapts to natural rhythms rather than resisting them.

Designing for Resilience in Extreme Environments

The UAE’s pavilion, curated by Azza Aboualam- the first female architect to lead the country’s Biennale entry—explores adaptive architecture in desert climates.

Her modular greenhouse assemblies are designed for easy integration into residential areas, enabling accessible food production in arid regions. These experimental structures reflect the Biennale’s overarching message: architecture must evolve in harmony with its environment. From floating farms to flood-resilient cities and desert greenhouses, the 2025 Biennale showcases how ancient practices and modern innovation can converge to address today’s climate challenges.