The 19th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia will celebrate American philosopher Donna Haraway and late Italian architect Italo Rota with top honors for lifetime achievement. Donna Haraway receives the prestigious Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement, while Italo Rota is posthumously awarded the Special Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement in Memoriam. The exhibition, titled Intelligens. Natural. Artificial. Collective., runs from May 10 to November 23, 2025.

Curator Carlo Ratti praised Donna Haraway for her groundbreaking work exploring the intersections of technology, biology, and culture, highlighting her influential concept of the « Chthulucene » which redefines the boundaries between human and nonhuman and her optimistic vision for multispecies coexistence. Her philosophical contributions resonate deeply with architecture’s evolving engagement with intelligence—human, artificial, and collective.

Italo Rota, who passed away in April 2024, is recognized for his visionary architecture that bridged science, art, and sustainability. Known for projects like the Musée d’Orsay renovation and Milan’s Museo del Novecento, he was celebrated for his eclecticism and poetic design. His life and work partner Margherita Palli, will accept the award and present the collaborative project Material Bank at the Arsenale.

The awards ceremony will take place on May 10 at Ca’ Giustinian, marking the exhibition’s opening.