Resourceful Intelligence

Resourceful Intelligence is Park’s contribution to the 19th International Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia, curated by Carlo Ratti under the theme “Intelligens. Natural. Artificial. Collective.” Installed in the historic Corderie dell’Arsenale, the project addresses one of today’s most pressing questions: how can we continue to build while drastically reducing reliance on newly extracted resources? The construction industry is the world’s largest consumer of materials. In response, Park explores a new methodology that shifts the architectural mindset from extraction to transformation. Developed in collaboration with the data-native design studio Accurat and a research team from the Department of Architecture, Built Environment and Construction Engineering at Politecnico di Milano, the installation combines real-world case studies with scientific research. Based on two architectural projects by Park in Milan, Resourceful Intelligence demonstrates how selective deconstruction and material reuse can be integrated into the design process to create a circular construction model. The installation is articulated in two large vertical elements and one video. One façade is made of reprocessed glass from Palazzo Missori, a 1930s building in Milan. The original glass panes, no longer compliant with current performance standards, were melted onto textured steel molds by 6:AM, creating patterned panels that showcase the potential of recycled material. Opposite stands a second façade built using clinker tiles reclaimed from Hotel Michelangelo, a 1960s modernist tower. These tiles, salvaged through a meticulous dismantling process, are reassembled in a new configuration, highlighting their durability and texture.

Behind the clinker wall, a video designed by Accurat visualizes ongoing research on Milan’s building stock. Developed from studies by Gabriele Masera’s team at Politecnico di Milano, the projection uses a dynamic digital map to reveal the spatial distribution of reusable materials across the city. This mapping reinforces the idea of the city as a material reservoir and invites new ways of sourcing resources for future regeneration projects. All elements of the installation are assembled using dry construction techniques to enable full disassembly and reuse after the exhibition. The glass panes and clinker tiles will return to their original sites, becoming integral parts of the ongoing building processes. In this way, Resourceful Intelligence moves beyond conceptual design to serve as a full-scale demonstration of circular construction in action. This project is part of Park’s broader commitment to developing sustainable, adaptable, and context-aware architectural models. More than a static object, the installation embodies a living architectural narrative where process, material recovery, and research come together to envision new futures for the built environment. The installation is on view from May 10 to November 23, 2025, at the Corderie dell’Arsenale, as part of the 19th International Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia.