The European Cultural Centre (ECC) is set to launch the seventh edition of its biennial architecture exhibition, Time Space Existence, from May 10 – November 23, 2025. As international architects, designers and researchers gather across the historic venues of Palazzo Bembo, Palazzo Mora, and Marinaressa Gardens in Venice, the exhibition will push beyond sustainability, focusing on three interconnected principles: Repair, Regenerate and Reuse. This year’s edition, of which STIR is a distinguished media partner, challenges participants to address global crises through a circular approach, fostering ecological responsibility in architecture and urbanism.In a conversation with STIR, curator Rachele de Stefano shares that the overarching theme was influenced by growing societal, cultural and environmental challenges.

In 2023, we explored sustainability across scales and forms. But given the urgency of today’s crises, we wanted to move beyond into the deeper concepts of repair and regeneration. Reuse remains an essential tool, but it is part of a broader systemic transformation. – Rachele de Stefano

A key influence on this shift was ECC’s visits to Singapore, where the integration of natural and built environments reinforced the necessity of repair as a guiding principle. Another turning point came during Japanese architect Kengo Kuma’s panel at the ECC’s Shaping the City symposium in 2023, where he emphasised that repair is the only viable path forward. “That idea stayed with us,” says de Stefano. “We realised that these three concepts must be explored together. They are not isolated strategies; they interconnect, enriching one another across every project and venue.”

In 2024, the European Cultural Centre’s arts biennale, Personal Structures: Beyond Boundaries delved into the complexities of global migration, national identities and the human spirit’s resilience. Hosted across Venice’s historic venues, the exhibition featured over 200 projects from 52 countries, each challenging and redefining societal norms. This initiative not only highlighted the plurality of contemporary artistic expressions but also reinforced their commitment to fostering global dialogues through art.

During the inauguration, STIR’s Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Amit Gupta, delivered a poignant keynote speech highlighting the evolving role of art in a rapidly changing world. Drawing inspiration from Ai Weiwei’s assertion that “Everything is art. Everything is politics,” he discussed the significance of dissolving boundaries; geographical, cultural and disciplinary to foster a more inclusive and empathetic global community.

Beyond its thematic focus, the exhibition introduces a retrospective section on emerging voices in architecture. The New Practices showcase offers a platform for young firms that challenge conventions and experiment with innovative ideas. The ECC will also host the EUmies Awards Young Talent 2025, a platform supported by Fundació Mies van der Rohe and the Creative Europe programme of the European Union. The award recognises emerging talents in urban planning and landscape design, highlighting the role of quality architecture in fostering sustainability and well-being across Europe.

The ECC’s commitment to diversity continues with its collaboration on the DIVIA Award 2025, which highlights the contributions of women in architecture. The award recognises women whose work shapes architecture in meaningful and impactful ways. “These awards amplify voices that often go unheard,” de Stefano notes. “By providing this space in Venice, we hope to foster fresh perspectives that can influence the discipline on a global scale.” In an exclusive conversation with STIR, the curator discusses the broader impact of Time Space Existence and its role in Venice’s architectural landscape.

Aarthi Mohan: How does Time Space Existence connect to Venice’s broader cultural and architectural dialogue, particularly during La Biennale?

Rachele de Stefano: Our exhibition naturally aligns with the Biennale’s theme, curated by Carlo Ratti. He invited national pavilions to respond to Intelligens, and I am eager to see how these ideas unfold. Several of the participants in this year’s Biennale projects have previously exhibited in Time Space Existence, which makes this dialogue even more meaningful. The climate crisis is the most pressing challenge of our time and demands a collective response from architects, designers, researchers, artists and citizens alike. Exhibitions like ours, alongside the Biennale and national pavilions, amplify these discussions and drive public engagement. Venice provides an unparalleled platform where international perspectives converge, allowing for deep exchanges between academia, practice and policy-making. Our public programme is designed to translate these exchanges into concrete steps towards transformation.

Aarthi: Could you share more about the New Practices retrospective and why it was important to spotlight emerging voices?

Rachele: Emerging architects often struggle to gain visibility in major exhibitions dominated by established names. At ECC, we are committed to supporting diversity and fresh ideas. The New Practices section, co-curated with ArchDaily, features six emerging firms whose work explores the themes of Repair, Regenerate and Reuse. Additionally, our collaboration with the Mies van der Rohe Foundation brings forward outstanding projects from the Young Talent Architecture Award. By providing a platform for these voices, we hope to spark connections that will help their ideas evolve and take root in real-world practice.

Aarthi: Indigenous architectural practices play a key role in this year’s dialogue. How do you see these traditions influencing contemporary design and sustainability?

Rachele: Beyond highlighting emerging architects, we also recognise the depth of Indigenous knowledge, an often-overlooked wisdom that challenges mainstream architectural discourse. These traditions offer an alternative approach to sustainability that is deeply attuned to place, climate and materiality. Many of the world’s most enduring structures, from the Pyramids to the Colosseum and Venice itself, reflect this intrinsic understanding of the built environment. As we face environmental challenges, we must integrate these principles into contemporary design, not as an aesthetic choice but as a necessity. Indigenous architecture teaches us how to work with, rather than against, natural systems.

Aarthi: Considering critiques that biennales prioritise conceptual themes over the act of building, do you think such exhibitions can inspire meaningful change?

Rachele: The body cannot function without the brain, just as architecture cannot progress without spaces for critical discourse. Biennales should be laboratories for open experimentation, free from external constraints, where people can exchange, challenge and develop ideas. At ECC, we prioritise inclusivity, featuring projects from regions often underrepresented in global exhibitions, including Bangladesh, India, Thailand, Argentina, Ghana, Albania, Egypt, Palestine and Chile. Change begins with a conversation, and representation ensures that this dialogue is truly global.

Beyond the exhibition, our public programme fosters direct engagement between academia and practice. Scholars and professionals will convene to explore tangible solutions, making Time Space Existence more than just a showcase; it’s a space for action.

Aarthi: What do you hope visitors take away from this edition?

Rachele: I want visitors to leave feeling inspired and hopeful, but also with a sense of urgency. Architecture is not just about buildings; it’s about shaping the world we inhabit. Climate change, sustainability and inclusivity are not abstract ideals; they require concrete steps.

But beyond the ecological crisis, we also emphasise unity. In times of division, war and polarisation, architecture has the power to foster connections. This idea resonated deeply in our previous exhibition, Personal Structures - Beyond Boundaries, and in Yoko Ono’s No Flags project at Marinaressa Gardens in 2024. Imagination, love and care are not just philosophical ideas but forces for change. When we integrate them into action, they shape a more compassionate, open and responsive world, better equipped to face the challenges of our time.

This year’s programme also includes the ECC Awards, a distinguished honour celebrating art, architecture, design and academic research while recognising ‘those who are rethinking space, people, materials and perspectives to shape a better future’. The esteemed panel comprises Ivan Blasi (Director, EUmies Awards), Amit Gupta (Founder and Editor-in-Chief, STIR), Christele Harrouk (Editor-in-Chief, ArchDaily), Ursula Schwitalla (Honorary Senator, Tubingen University) and Martha Thorne (Writer, curator, consultant and urbanist).

ECC’s dedication to advancing architectural discourse and championing inclusivity positions it as one of the leaders in cultural exchange and innovation. Through its layered curation, it pushes the boundaries of what architecture can achieve in confronting global issues. Building on last year’s insightful arts coverage, STIR continues its media partnership with ECC to explore bold new perspectives. Stay tuned for exclusive coverage from Venice, showcasing the groundbreaking projects of this year’s architecture biennale.