Venice, 05.2025

The official opening of the Architecture Biennale Time Space Existence, organized by the European Cultural Centre at Palazzo Mora in Venice, was recently celebrated.

Juan José Castellón is presenting Impluvium Redux, a prototypical module in the form of an umbrella structure that operates at the cross-disciplinary intersection between architecture and structural and environmental engineering. The installation explores the kinematic, material, and environmental potentials of folded membranes in combination with segmental ceramic hollow structures for the design and construction of water and shading infrastructures, as well as urban spaces for social interaction.

This project is the result of a synergetic collaboration bridging his professional practice, xmade GmbH, with his academic research at Rice University, in partnership with local manufacturing companies in Catalonia and the Rice University School of Engineering and Computing.

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Credits:

Architect / Principal Investigator:
Prof. Dr. Juan José Castellón

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Team:
Olga Sobkiv
Tianle Chen
Tammy Feng

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Fabrication:
xmade GmbH
BEC industries

Ceràmica Cumella (Toni Cumella & Guillem Cumella)
HUGUET SL (Biel Huguet Ballester)
Suimco Materiales, S.L.

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Membrane Engineering:
CODA Computational Design Affairs

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Audiovisuals:
FRAU recerques visuals Helena Pielias i Vicenç Viaplana

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Sponsors:
Rice Global
Rice University School of Engineering and Computing
Rice WaTER Institute
Carbon Hub at Rice University
Rice School of Architecture
and Ms. Martha Claire Tompkins