A Renewed Central Pavilion Sets the Stage for Venice Art Biennale 2026

With its thoughtful integration of light, energy, and airflow, the Giardini venue reasserts itself as the heart of the Biennale.

The Central Pavilion at the Giardini della Biennale has reopened in anticipation of this year's Venice Art Biennale, after an extensive repair conducted by architect Arianna Laurenzi and engineer Cristiano Frizzele. The idea reinterprets the old building as a multifaceted, adaptable exhibition space while preserving essential architectural features. The revitalised Pavilion highlights spatial order and clarity, with Sala Chini converted into a distribution area that directs visitors to neutral galleries intended for various curatorial formats.

The service facilities, including a café, bookshop, and instructional spaces, are distinctly segregated from the exhibition circuits. Significant repairs encompass Carlo Scarpa’s original window systems and the reconstruction of Sala Brenno del Giudice to its 1928 arrangement. Access points to the canal-facing terrace were restored, enhancing the building’s interaction with its surroundings. Two rooftop structures, inspired by Venetian altane, were added, constructed from charred laminated wood and X-LAM panels, providing elevated vistas while preserving architectural equilibrium.

The refurbishment consolidates environmental and technical systems into a cohesive structure. Skylights including photovoltaic and diffusing glass offer natural illumination and energy efficiency, while adjustable components facilitate ventilation and shade. Infrastructure was integrated within walls and ceilings to maintain internal transparency. These initiatives match the Pavilion with modern sustainability standards, assuring material efficiency and environmental management.

The repair was supervised by the Biennale’s Special Projects Department, led by Arianna Laurenzi and Cristiano Frizzele. The intervention, designed by Labics in partnership with Fabio Fumagalli, received funding from Italy's National Recovery and Resilience Plan. The reopening reinstates the Pavilion as the Biennale's focal point, with its inaugural show, In Minor Keys, curated by Koyo Kouoh, commencing on May 9, 2026.