At the Venice Architecture Biennale 2025, Rolex has debuted a striking new pavilion in the Giardini, open to the public from May 10th to November 23rd. Designed by acclaimed Nigerien architect Mariam Issoufou, the structure champions circular design, artisanal excellence, and the Swiss brand’s enduring ethos of precision.
Mariam Issoufou’s concept draws inspiration from both the Rolex fluted bezel and the fluid geography of Venice. Its curved façade, made from recycled timber, evokes the rhythm of the city’s canals and horological craftsmanship. The interior ceiling—crafted from colored Murano glass—filters light in tones that echo passing time and environmental cycles. Beneath, a terrazzo floor features crushed local glass, underlining the brand’s dedication to reuse and sustainability.
Inside, visitors encounter a multi-screen installation tracing the pavilion’s journey, paired with a short film by Rolex protégé Arine Aprahamian on community reuse in Beirut. Additional slideshows spotlight the restoration of boutiques in Milan and Tokyo, reinforcing Rolex green values of regional craftsmanship and sustainable luxury.
Designed for disassembly, the pavilion is more than architecture—it’s a manifesto. At the Venice Architecture Biennale, Rolex green thinking takes physical form through design that’s as elegant as it is ecological.
Don’t miss our conversation with Carlo Ratti—curator of the Venice Architecture Biennale—on algorithmic ethics, the unpredictability of cities, and the architecture of what comes next.
Photography courtesy of ROLEX