Lorenzo Mattozzi and Cosimo Scotucci will head the MVRDV studio at Venice Studio 2025, the fifth edition of the annual intensive architecture programme. This year’s course brings together five leading international architecture and urbanism offices, including Herzog & de Meuron, OMA, Snøhetta, and Zaha Hadid Architects. Over two weeks, the programme will feature public lectures and design reviews, welcoming 80 selected students from around the world.

The MVRDV studio will focus on reimagining public spaces in Venice as inclusive environments for gathering, play, and green infrastructure. The project will center on enhancing child-oriented services on Lazzaretto Vecchio Island and along the Lido waterfront. Located in the central lagoon, Lazzaretto Vecchio spans 2.5 hectares, with 8,500 square meters of built structures. Rich in historical and architectural value, the island has been designated since 2000 as the future home of the National Archaeological Museum of the Venetian Lagoon.

The studio will emphasize public space and landscape design, particularly facilities for children. Design strategies will incorporate materials and colour schemes to improve wayfinding and spatial orientation. Field trips will offer insights into existing child-friendly environments, including The Human Safety Net headquarters in Procuratie Vecchie, the Fortuny Museum, and the Fortuny Factory in Giudecca. A dedicated visit to Lazzaretto Vecchio will provide direct engagement with the project site.

MVRDV’s design methodology will shape the studio process, focusing on contextual analysis, scale, typology, and narrative development. Students will explore the integration of AI and AR technologies, with sustainability goals aligned to the ESG framework. The studio aims to deepen participants' understanding of Venice through the lens of public space and civic interaction, offering diverse perspectives on the city's unique urban fabric.

• Program Dates: June 30 – July 11
• Venue: SMAC, Procuratie Vecchie, Piazza San Marco 105, 30124 Venezia, Italy
• Opening Session: June 30, 10:00
• Venue: Fondazione Querini Stampalia, Campo Santa Maria Formosa 5252, 30122 Venezia, Italy
• More information on the programme can be found here