THE OUTDOOR AREA OF GRAN CAFFÈ QUADRI AT THE 2025 ARCHITECTURE BIENNALE

For the first time in the history of the Biennale, a special project breaks free from the official exhibition boundaries to reach the heart of the city: Piazza San Marco. In the outdoor area of Gran Caffè Quadri, an intervention by Teresa Sapey + Partners and Aaron Betsky comes to life, as part of the 19th International Architecture Biennale curated by Carlo Ratti.

An unprecedented project that, without interrupting the daily service of the café, transforms the exterior of this historic coffee house into a vibrant stage, inspired by the ancient coffee routes and the role this beverage has played in building bridges between cultures, peoples, and worldviews.

THE 250TH ANNIVERSARY

The project, inspired by the historic coffee routes and their influence on the Serenissima, intertwines with the 250th anniversary of Gran Caffè Quadri, opened in 1775 by Giorgio Quadri, which the Alajmo Group celebrates with a menu where a special blend, created exclusively by the Giamaica Caffè Roasting Laboratory, becomes the protagonist in a series of new preparations.

“For 250 years, Gran Caffè Quadri has lived in the heart of Piazza San Marco. Today, with emotion, we participate in the Architecture Biennale to contribute to an open and shared reflection on how beauty can guide the rules of public space.” — Raffaele Alajmo

THE PROJECT

Designed for everyone: Biennale visitors, tourists, and Venetian citizens, the intervention transforms the outdoor space of Quadri into an immersive experience. The concept aims to highlight the multiculturalism and historical diversity of the Serenissima, with decorative elements inspired by cultures with which Venice has had relationships over the centuries: from Persia to India, from North Africa to continental Europe.

Colors, patterns, and materials evoke a sensory journey through coffee cultures:

  • Cushions for the seating with ethnic patterns and a color palette ranging from warm yellow to burgundy;

  • Tablecloths and table tops blending ancient images of the city and portraits of its inhabitants;

  • A daytime and nighttime version of the space, designed with the help of artificial intelligence to adapt to the rhythm of the day.

The intervention is completely reversible and reusable, inspired by the behavior of an epiphytic plant: nothing is altered, everything can be removed without leaving a trace, preserving the identity of the place.

A NETWORK OF COLLABORATIONS

The project was made possible thanks to the support of partners who share our vision of sustainable hospitality, craftsmanship, and innovation:

  • UNO Contract curated the complete setup, translating the artistic vision into a welcoming and elegant space. A tribute to the company’s Venetian roots, interpreting hospitality as a balance between history and modernity.

  • Mariaflora created high-performance outdoor fabrics, inspired by the coffee route. The prints – made in Italy with VivaColor technology – tell stories of cultural exchange and introduce the exclusive Bianco San Marco shade, designed to harmonize with the marble of the square.

  • Gaggio, a Venetian company with a long tradition, designed new umbrellas enriched with innovative details: retro-reflective bands, double coverings, and colors in harmony with the historical identity of Quadri. A virtuous example of dialogue between craftsmanship and technology.

  • Piermaria New Form handcrafted removable seat covers and curtains, tailored for the existing seating. Each piece is the result of custom craftsmanship, designed to perfectly integrate with the space while respecting its soul.

Thanks to this synergy, Gran Caffè Quadri continues to be the place where the past and future meet, and where the ritual of coffee becomes an opportunity for reflection, exchange, and shared beauty.