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The idea stemmed from the urgent need to highlight the hidden water footprint in architecture. Inspired by the concept of 'virtual water'—the water embedded in materials and construction, we developed an immersive installation to make this invisible presence visible. The concept was born from the dialogue between architecture and environmental science, led by Benedetta Tagliabue and Jampel Dell’Angelo, blending research, design, and sensory experience into a critical spatial narrative.
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Set within the historic Arsenale of Venice, the installation enters into a respectful yet provocative dialogue with its context. Rather than altering the site, it floats within it lightweight, ephemeral, and reversible. Its delicate paper folds contrast with the solidity of the stone architecture, evoking water’s adaptability. The project becomes a spatial metaphor within the Biennale’s theme, stimulating critical interaction in an iconic urban and cultural setting.
Sustainability is central to the project. It uses recycled filter paper and natural wood, assembled with minimal impact. Materials were processed using solar-powered machinery, and the pavilion is fully demountable and reusable. The design minimizes its environmental footprint while maximizing public engagement. It forms part of the 'waterspace' platform and has received institutional recognition.
The Architecture of Virtual Water is an immersive pavilion addressing the invisible presence of water in the built environment. Made of hand-worked recycled paper and wooden frames forming the word AQUA, it envelops visitors in a sensory experience of sound, image, and space. The installation translates scientific research into an artistic, architectural gesture, engaging the public with environmental awareness. Its strengths lie in its innovative material use, interdisciplinary collaboration, and its circular design model. The structure is not only light and recyclable but also intellectually rich, bridging art, science, and sustainability in a poetic yet tangible form.
This project invites us to reflect on what we don’t see in architecture, its hidden costs and potential for change.
Miralles Tagliabue EMBT, founded in Barcelona in 1994 by Enric Miralles and Benedetta Tagliabue, is an internationally renowned architecture studio celebrated for its creative synthesis of tradition and innovation. EMBT designs thoughtful, poetic, and context-sensitive projects globally, including significant public and educational buildings across Europe and Asia. With offices in Barcelona, Shanghai, and Paris, EMBT emphasizes collaborative processes and creates architecture that enriches urban experiences, respecting cultural heritage while delivering functional, imaginative solutions.
