Biography
Guendalina Salimei, architect, PhD in Architecture. Theory and Design, Professor of Architectural Design at Sapienza University of Rome. With the Tstudio, founded in Rome, he combines ethical design practice with experimental research to improve quality of life and living conditions in complex natural and human ecosystems.
At Sapienza University of Rome, he directs the Master’s Program in the Design of Buildings for Worship and is a member of the Academic Board of the PhD program; at the Pontifical Athenaeum of Sant’Anselmo, he is a member of the Academic Board of the Master’s Program in Architecture and Arts for the Liturgy. He is a member of the scientific committees of the Città in Scena Festival in Rome, the Villa Vigoni Italy–Germany Center of Excellence, the Giovanni Michelucci Foundation, Inarch, and the Angelica Costantiniana Academy of Letters, Arts and Sciences.
The Curator
Guendalina Salimei
The research is carried out in Italian and international academic institutions, such as: MIUR Research and the European Commission; CNR – National Research Council of Italy; Technische Universität Darmstadt; National University of Civil Engineering of Hanoi; Fondation Kybernetik; DAAD – German Academic Exchange Service; DFG – German Research Foundation.
There are many publications of a scientific, Biography of the curator Italian Pavilion - Biennale Architettura 2025 academic, and popular nature in the form of monographs, essays, articles, radio and television interviews, and in specialized journals. Among the main ones are: Percorsi del sacro. Piccole architetture spirituali nella natura (METAMORFOSI, LetteraVentidue: Siracusa 2020); Architettura dialogo religione. Nuovi luoghi per il Terzo Millennio (LetteraVentidue: Siracusa 2020); Hanoi: La Città Tra Due Fiumi. Storia e Contemporaneità (Quodlibet: Macerata 2020); Contemporary Caravanserais - New model for public spaces and city squares (ListLab: Trento 2019); City Landscape (Bari: Ilios 2014); Luigi Moretti. Terme Bonifacio VIII a Fiuggi (Ilios Editore: Bari 2012).
The research on the themes of architecture and the city is expressed in an intense design activity that has produced numerous works based on the triple principle of environmental, economic, and ethical sustainability, often working in conditions of urban decay and social distress. It combines innovation and tradition with a sensitive awareness of the local habitus. Among the most significant projects in various fields are the redevelopment of Crypta Balbi and other archaeological areas in Rome; the Egyptian Museum and the Concentrico of Stupinigi in Turin; Via Sparano and the former Rossani Barracks in Bari; the San Benedetto Convent and Michelucci Market in Ferrara; the redevelopment of waterfronts in Mola di Bari, Bari, Naples, Taranto, and Cagliari; the social housing projects in Ceccano (FR) and the Primavalle district in Rome, the Km Verde in Corviale, Rome, and the intervention on Isola Madre in Taranto; the Museum of Contemporary Art in Foligno (PG) and the Market of Cagliari.
The projects have received national and international awards and recognitions, including: Regula Prize; Iconic Design Award; German Design Award; The Plan Award; IN/ARCH Prizes; Gentile da Foligno Prize; Luisa Minazzi Prize – Environmentalist of the Year; Oscar of the City of Rome; 100 Italian Excellence Award.
She is invited to participate in exhibitions and events in Italy and around the world, including: International Architecture Exhibitions – the Venice Biennale; MAXXI in Rome; Pavilion de l’Arsenal in Paris; Sofia Triennale; and also in Moscow, Kazan, Astana, Beijing, Tokyo, Singapore, Hanoi, and others.
In 2014, director Riccardo Milani directed the film Scusate se esisto!, starring Paola Cortellesi, which brings to the big screen the complex story of the Corviale Building in Rome and the redevelopment project Il Km Verde, showcasing the original designs and referring to Guendalina Salimei as the actual designer. The film won the Dedalo Minosse Cinema Award in 2016.
Terrae Aquae.
Italy and the Intelligence of the Sea
Italian Pavilion at the Biennale Architettura 2025
Promoted by the Directorate-General for Contemporary Creativity
of the Italian Ministry of Culture
10.05 – 23.11.2025
Tese delle Vergini, Arsenale, Venezia
Commissioner
Angelo Piero Cappello
Curator
Guendalina Salimei