The ITA.CA project is part of the Italian Pavilion at the 19th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia 2025, within the exhibition “Terrae Aquae. Italy and the Intelligence of the Sea” curated by Guendalina Salimei. The project offers a creative interpretation of the Italian coastal landscape, exploring the relationship between land, sea, and the processes of transformation that shape them.
Project Name: ITA.CA
Studio Name: Studio 3Mark
Location: Venice, Italy
Year: 2025
Status: built
ITA.CA is presented as an experimental project conceived as the front page of an imaginary newspaper, yet built with real proportions and graphic composition. It serves as a visual and narrative manifesto, blending speculation and reality to demonstrate how architecture and technology can merge to generate sustainable solutions for marine environments. The page becomes a medium for communication and reflection on innovation, research, and sustainability.
The date shown on the page includes only the day and month, symbolizing the timeless nature of its message. The themes addressed in the articles evoke a project that could belong to the past, the present, or the future—highlighting the urgency to act now for the protection of the environment.
From concept to reality, ITA.CA envisions the creation of new coastal infrastructures, the development of advanced marine technologies, and collaboration with local communities. The proposed marine habitat barriers offer an innovative approach to protecting coastlines and promoting biodiversity through modular and biomimetic systems made from sustainable materials. These structures not only safeguard marine environments but also contribute to the restoration of ecosystems and the monitoring of biodiversity through cutting-edge technological tools.
The project is inspired by “Ithaca” by Konstantinos Kavafis, a poem that celebrates the value of the journey rather than the destination. In the same spirit, ITA.CA interprets sustainability as a continuous journey—one built on scientific discovery, education, innovation, and collaboration.
As in the voyage toward Ithaca, every challenge becomes an opportunity for growth and transformation. True wealth does not lie in the final destination but in the journey itself, in the knowledge gained, and in the ability to evolve toward a more conscious and sustainable future.
