The architecture firms Carlo Ratti Associati and Höweler + Yoon have unveiled an innovative project called AquaPraça—a floating public and cultural platform designed for the COP30 global summit in the city of Belém, Brazil. Spanning over 400 square meters, this adaptive structure is equipped with responsive and environmentally conscious technologies, allowing it to adjust itself in real time to fluctuations in water levels.
AquaPraça is built upon the concept of hydro-reactivity—a system in which smart technologies, supported by environmental sensors, monitor water flow and weather conditions to automatically adjust the internal volume of the structure. This allows the main platform to remain consistently level with the sea surface. The result is a tangible and immersive experience for visitors, offering direct engagement with nature and the real effects of climate change.
The conceptual prototype of this floating plaza will first be showcased at the main exhibition of the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale. Its full-scale version is scheduled to be installed in November 2025 at the port of Belém, as part of Italy’s pavilion during the COP30 summit. After the event, AquaPraça will remain in the Amazon region as a permanent public and cultural space.
Inspired by Aldo Rossi’s Floating Theatre from the 1979 Venice Biennale, this project offers a contemporary reinterpretation of responsive architecture within a hot and humid climate. AquaPraça is not only a smart response to the climate crisis, but also a hopeful example of the future of environmentally attuned architecture.