Diller Scofidio and Renfro (DS+R) has won a Golden Lion at the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale for "Canal Café," a project that brews espresso using water filtered from the Venetian lagoon. The installation, part of the biennale's exhibition "Intelligens. Natural. Artificial. Collective," uses a combination of biological filtration by salt-tolerant halophytes and artificial methods like reverse osmosis to purify the polluted canal water. Michelin-starred chef Davide Oldani selected the coffee blend, and the espresso is sold for €1.20. Originally conceived for the 2008 biennale but delayed due to permit issues, the project was realized with improved filtration technology and support from engineering firms Natural Systems Utilities and SODAI, as well as Webuild.
This project matters because it directly addresses Venice's environmental challenges, including water pollution from industrialization and tourism, and the threat of climate change-induced flooding. By demonstrating a practical, visible method of water purification, "Canal Café" serves as a symbol of how innovative technology can provide clean drinking water while protecting vital resources. The work also highlights the role of architecture and design in tackling ecological issues, and its selection by jurors including Hans Ulrich Obrist and Paola Antonelli underscores the biennale's focus on sustainability and collective intelligence.