The Rice School of Architecture congratulates alumnus Charles Renfro (B.Arch. ’89), partner at the New York–based firm Diller Scofidio + Renfro (DS+R), which was awarded the prestigious Golden Lion for Best Participation at the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale.
DS+R’s winning project, Canal Café, transforms a coffee stand into a provocative architectural intervention. Installed along the Arsenale, the café draws water directly from Venice’s canals, purifies it through a combination of natural and engineered filtration systems—including a functioning micro-wetland—and brews espresso on-site. Developed in collaboration with engineers and a Michelin-starred chef, the project challenges visitors to rethink their infrastructure, public spaces, and environmental stewardship assumptions.
Charles Renfro explains, “I developed a deep love for Italy during my days at Rice, where I twice served as director of the Rice Via Gabina archaeological dig outside Rome. It was then that Italy’s cultural magnificence and environmental challenges became a sharp focus for me. We’re thrilled that Canal Café draws on the former to help address the latter.”
The Golden Lion is the highest honor awarded at the Venice Biennale, the world’s most influential exhibition of contemporary architecture. Bestowed by an international jury, the prize recognizes design excellence and visionary thinking on a global stage.
“The Biennale's recognition of DS+R's efforts to redefine the role of architecture in society," said Igor Marjanović, William Ward Watkin Dean of the Rice School of Architecture, "is not only a celebration of design innovation but also a call to imagine bold new systems of living—something we hope to inspire in every student who passes through our school.”
The Rice School of Architecture celebrates this recognition of DS+R’s work and applauds Renfro’s continued contributions to the field through ambitious, boundary-pushing design. The 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale is on view through November 23.