Marco Polo returns
through Suez (2018)

Marco Polo Returns through Suez" was a temporary observatory created for the Swamp Pavilion at the 16th Venice Architecture Biennale. The project explored the impact of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) on Venice's lagoon ecosystem.\n As the BRI reshapes global trade routes, ports like Venice, Trieste, and Genoa are set to become key entry points for maritime traffic between Europe and Asia via the Suez Canal. However, this expansion poses significant challenges to the lagoon's biodiversity. Our team studied the intertidal zones of Campalto, analyzing inorganic waste and invasive species (e.g., Undaria pinnatifida, Crossostrea gigas, Eriocheir sinensis), carried by sea currents from Venice’s ports and airport. This initiative aimed to study the ecological impact of global infrastructure development.