Feliciana Chiaradia, February 2026
Venice welcomed us with a stunning sunset over the lagoon. As our train from Munich passed across the water, we could see the mirrored sun reflecting through both windows: a perfect prelude to our journey. The RTG trip to the Biennale of Architecture began early that morning, and everyone was enjoying the ride in their own way: some catching up on deadlines, others reading or simply watching the changing landscapes, altering these moments with a chat in the Boardbistro. The mood was the same for all of us: excitement. We were looking forward to seeing each other again after the summer break and couldn’t wait to explore Venice and the Biennale.
In Munich, the day had started with a hint of autumn in the air, but as we crossed the border, the first rays of sunlight began to accompany us and, luckily, followed us for the rest of the trip. Once we disembarked, we couldn’t help but pause to photograph the magic unfolding before our eyes: the night slowly taking over the charming canals. To reach our hotel, we packed our things, crossed the nearest bridge, and walked through the city bathed in the soft red glow of the sunset. We were happy (and hungry!). So, after settling into our little hotel, we began our evening as true flâneurs, getting pleasantly lost in Venice’s narrow alleys that eventually led us to the magnificent Piazza San Marco.
From there, a new quest began: finding dinner. Determined to avoid the infamous “tourist traps”, we wandered until we found a quiet little piazza. There, we savored our pasta, exchanging stories about how the summer days had flown by: a blur of holidays, research trips, reading, writing, and reflections about what the future will bring.
The next morning came quickly. We set off early toward the Biennale, our itinerary divided over two days – one for the Arsenale and the other for the Giardini. Navigating Venice took a bit of coordination (Google Maps doesn’t always understand that swimming isn’t an option here!), but eventually, we reached the Arsenale. These grand, historic shipyards and workshops once formed the beating heart of Venice’s maritime power, their architecture still echoing that culturally rich and industrious past.
The theme of this year’s Biennale was “Intelligens. Natural. Artificial. Collective.” Inspired by today’s global challenges, curator Carlo Ratti invited visitors to explore how different forms of intelligence – human, artificial, and collective – can come together to redesign and rethink the spaces we live in. Our visit began with a guided lecture that introduced us to the highlights and history of the exhibition. One of the most captivating moments was learning that Donna Haraway had been awarded the Leone d’Oro per la Carriera for her visionary work at the intersection of science, technology, gender, geography, and literature – an inspiring framework for this year’s Biennale reflections.
Our immersion in this part of the Biennale began in an almost dark, warm room filled with activated turbines. Their silhouettes shimmered on the water, mimicking the heat these electric motors release into the air. The athmosphere felt suffocating, until we suddenly realized that on the other side of the door, a completely different kind of light awaited us: the glow of microbiotic life.
One fascinating project followed another: about cities, landscapes, inhabited places, and untouched spaces. As hours passed, each of us followed our own path, drawn by personal interests and passions, engaging with installations that explored the present and the future of the Earth.
We found each other again at the end of this first part of the exhibition, on our way to the international pavilions. While discussing which project had captivated us most, many mentioned “Oxyville”, a musical piece that merged 3D audio and spatial design. Visitors were invited to close their eyes, follow the music, and imagine their own urban landscapes. It showed us how the exploration of places and spaces can also unfold through sound and sensory imagination.
To recharge, some of us enjoyed a “crema al caffè” in front of a massive machine connected to the lagoon, designed to clean Venice’s waters – and, amusingly, to serve coffee to Biennale visitors. Unfortunately, the machine wasn’t working that day, but that didn’t stop us from having our well‑deserved coffee (not from the lagoon water, thankfully!) whereas one seagull tried to stiel one of out fellows panino…
The international pavilions offered a mix of sensations and performances: some in a traditional exhibition format, others more experimental. There were so many intriguing things to see that we lost track of time, barely making it through before the voice on the loudspeaker announced closing time. With our feet on fire, we decided to end the day by watching the sunset once more: this time with a view of the Venetian islands and a classic Aperol in hand.
The evening was dedicated to another delicious Italian dinner and, for some of us, following our national football teams in their World Cup qualification matches (fortunately with good results for both!). We ended the night preparing for our last day at the Giardini.
At the entrance to the beautiful green park stretching out before us, our guide for the next few hours was waiting. She introduced us to several international pavilions in the gardens: some large and minimalist, others modest yet deeply inspiring, each offering its own kind of experience. In the German Pavilion, for example, a video installation accompanied by the ringing of a bell raised awareness about the heating problems affecting many cities in Germany and across Europe. The United States Pavilion focused on the history of the “porch”, even featuring a full-scale model where visitors could take shelter from the sun. Meanwhile, the Danish Pavilion – still under restoration – became a “building site,” showing unconventional ways to reuse construction materials.
But the highlight for many of us was the Polish Pavilion, which touched on our shared need for protection and the responsibility of architecture to provide it. Through a clever and unexpected interplay between superstition, rituals, and real safety laws, the exhibition reminded us how architecture reflects both our beliefs and our duty to build responsibly for the future.
Climbing to the top of an old pavilion gave us the perfect postcard view to end this wonderful and enriching trip. It will take time (and quite a bit of space) to process all the knowledge, feelings, and emotions gathered over these three intense days: days that brought us closer not only as professionals but also as a group of people thinking and feeling as one.
We often heard comments like, “Oh, have you seen this? It reminded me so much of your project!” – spontaneous exchanges under the sun or over an aperitivo that made us feel truly connected. By the end, we felt both grateful for what we have and proud of what we are becoming together.