Canal Cafe
2025
Diller Scofidio + Renfro & NSU at Biennale Architettura 2025
A project by Diller Scofidio + Renfro, Natural Systems Utilities and Sodai, in partnership with Aaron Betsky and Davide Oldani.
Structural Engineering by Knippers Helbig. Lighting Designers Tillotson Design Associates.
Photography by Iwan Baan.
Canal Café, winner of the Golden Lion at the 2025 Architecture Biennale, is a collaboration between Diller Scofidio + Renfro and water‑technology specialists Natural Systems Utilities (NSU). The pavilion captures raw lagoon water, purifies it through an on‑site treatment loop, and serves the resulting espresso—offering visitors a literal taste of Venice’s urban ecosystem.
The café is built as a fully reusable kit of bolted steel frames and prefabricated service modules. Maestro Technologies, in partnership with EF Group, acted as General Contractor and DfMA consultant, coordinating fabrication and rapid assembly. After the Biennale, the structure will be dismantled and redeployed at its next venue, extending its life‑cycle far beyond the exhibition.
A project by Diller Scofidio + Renfro, Natural Systems Utilities and Sodai, in partnership with Aaron Betsky and Davide Oldani.
Structural Engineering by Knippers Helbig. Lighting Designers Tillotson Design Associates.
Photography by Iwan Baan.
