TROPICALIA – Architecture, Materials, Innovative Systems
Collateral Event of the 17th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia
NEW DATES 22.05.2021 – 21.11.2021
Zuecca Projects is very proud to announce that the exhibition TROPICALIA – Architecture, Materials, Innovative Systems is one of the official COLLATERAL EVENTS of the 17th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia. The exhibition is realized in collaboration with the architecture firm Coldefy, and it is focused on Tropicalia, the largest single-dome greenhouse on the planet. TROPICALIA – Architecture, Materials, Innovative Systems is curated by Alessandro Possati, director of Zuecca Projects, and Arch. Thomas Coldefy, principal of Coldefy. It will be hosted at Squero Castello (Salizada Streta 368, Castello 30122, Venice), from May 22nd to November 21st 2021 (new Biennale’s dates for 2021).
Tropicalia greenhouse by Coldefy, 2023 ©Octav Tirziu
The exhibition presents the architectural and engineering specificities of Tropicalia greenhouse, as well as its unique sustainable air treatment engineering. It also presents the current state of the research on tropical fauna and flora, and its benefits on the ecosystem, the planet and health.
Greenhouse Tropicalia
Greenhouse Tropicalia’s visitors will be plunged into a tropical atmosphere, a unique and marvellous natural bubble under its crystal skin, with stunning coloured butterflies and fluttering hummingbirds waltzing from flower to flower. The show is sensual, exciting, idyllic and, above all, will soon be real. In 2024, the biggest greenhouse in the world will be constructed on the Côte d’Opale (France) to offer an immersive experience, discovering extraordinary fauna and flora, and understanding its fragile ecosystem.
Tropicalia proposes 20,000 sqm of tropic covered by an innovative dome rising to 35 meters, a 26 degrees ventilated temperature, a luxuriant vegetation bathed by an exceptional light, a tropical forest adorned with the most beautiful orchids, birds, butterflies, fishes, reptiles gathered into a unique eco-system. Tropicalia’s architecture is completely integrated with its natural exterior environment. Unlike a “megastructure”, the building does not create a break with its environment but integrates it and welcomes its fauna and flora. Its dome has been conceived to answer several challenges:
- an optimal thermal isolation with the conception of a double dome,
- an energy self-sufficiency thanks to the Terraotherm innovation, all the heat produced by the greenhouse’s effect will be recycled and stocked. The surplus energy will be exported via a heat network into buildings and surrounding businesses.
Tropicalia greenhouse by Coldefy, 2023 ©Coldefy
Illustrated by architectural model, drawings, sketches, videos and diverse working and presentation materials, the exhibition transmits an environmental and educational message: it shows how science can answer the question “How will we live together?”, the title of Biennale Architettura 2021 curated by Hashim Sarkis. The visitor will discover the engineering and architectural prowess and uniqueness of Tropicalia greenhouse, which has already received the 2018 Architizer A+Awards Jury and Public Choice Awards Winner. As well, several sustainable and innovative systems and materials developed in the architecture projects by Coldefy, will illustrate and enrich the comprehension of Tropicalia’s spirit and Coldefy’s philosophy. During the exhibition period, the space will also host conferences with relevant figures of Architecture world, to investigate and discuss about the themes and challenges arisen by Tropicalia.
Download the complete press folder here.
TROPICALIA – Architecture, Materials, Innovative Systems
Collateral Event of the 17th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia
Curators: Thomas Coldefy, Alessandro Possati
Collaborators: Maria Caterina Denora – Project Coordinator | Elisabeth Girot – Communications and Development Director, Project Coordinator | Martin Mercier, Marianna Guarino, Jerica Puterle, Alissa James – Architects, Exhibition Designers
Organized by Zuecca Projects
Supported by Autodesk, Eiffage Construction, Lenovo, Tarkett, Novaxia, Hausbrandt Trieste 1892 S.p.A, EOC – Eckersley O’Callaghan, Projex, Terraotherm, WAAO, Nhood
Location: Squero Castello, Salizada Streta 368, Castello 30122, Venice
Opening period: from May 22nd to November 21st 2021
Opening hours: 10.00 am – 01.00 pm / 02.00 pm – 06.00 pm, closed on Monday
For visits from Tuesday to Friday, reservation is not mandatory but highly recommended. Precedence to access will be given to visitors with a reservation.
For visits on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays, reservation is mandatory at least by 12.00 pm of the prior day. Reserve your visit at tropicalia@zueccaprojectspace.com
IMPORTANT: In accordance with the anti-COVID rules, it is mandatory to wear a mask to visit the exhibition, and respect the distance of 1mt among the other visitors. A maximum number of 50 people is allowed to enter the space at the same time.
