Bahrain's Heatwave Pavilion Wins Golden Lion at Venice Architecture Biennale for Innovative Cooling Solution

The 19th Venice Architecture Biennale, running from May 10 to November 23, 2025, featured the Bahrain Pavilion's "Heatwave," which was awarded the Golden Lion for Best National Participation. The exhibit showcased a modular architectural prototype designed to combat extreme heat in urban environments. "Heatwave" integrates traditional Bahraini cooling strategies with modern technologies. It utilizes a central column and cantilevered roof to create a microclimate through passive cooling, ventilation, and shading, without external energy input. Professor Alexander Puzrin from ETH Zurich, along with architect Andrea Faraguna and civil engineer Mario Monotti, developed the thermomechanical concept. The system diverts hot airflows into a geothermal well and a solar chimney, producing cooled zones. The jury recognized "Heatwave" as a "viable proposal for extreme heat conditions," highlighting its blend of technical innovation and environmental sustainability. This architectural approach offers a sustainable solution to the increasing issue of extreme heat in urban areas.