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As part of the Perspective EU 2025 forum, organized by THE PLAN and held in early May in Venice, the roundtable focused on the theme of authenticity and hybrid spaces. The discussion explored these concepts as essential tools to create environments that are truly meaningful, resilient, and responsive to the needs of a constantly changing society. Renowned architects from around the world participated in the debate.
The speakers included: Giulia Maria D'Arco (Baumschlager Eberle Architekten), Marco Dell'Agli Valletti (BIG - Bjarke Ingels Group), Amrita Mahindroo (DROO / Da Costa Mahindroo Architects), Marinus van Eldik (DIETRICH UNTERTRIFALLER), Francesco Casella (KPF), with moderation by Giulia Carravieri (ATI Project).
In the collective imagination, a building should last at least one hundred years. However, user needs change over time, and it is impossible to predict what we will need in the future or what will happen. Different spaces may be required to meet new needs. For this reason, we should envision a “neutral building” — a hybrid space conceived as a versatile “container” with multiple functions, capable of adapting to change over time. We need flexible buildings, but that does not mean they lose their identity or character.
The concept of hybrid space stands in contrast to the rigidity of traditional architectural typologies. These are environments that combine different functions and, thanks to their flexibility, can be transformed to meet current or future needs. A hybrid space succeeds when it can shift between various uses, each of which adds value to the place.
Take, for example, The Shed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro, which can evolve from a cultural destination into a music center, contributing to redefining the meaning of public buildings and spaces. This highlights how hybrid spaces are not just a mix of functions — they are true vessels of meaning, capable of adapting and evolving over time, creating new urban and social narratives.
Hybrid spaces have always existed, especially in Europe: squares and open spaces often represent the most vibrant public areas in our cities. Designing hybrid spaces has a strong social impact, promoting inclusion, participation, and co-creation. A participatory approach, involving local stakeholders, associations, and communities, allows the creation of environments that integrate organically into the urban fabric.
In architecture, authenticity is not merely the preservation of historical elements or the replication of past styles. Rather, it is a dynamic process realized when a building is infused with energy, ideas, and vitality from the people who inhabit it, from the context in which it is embedded, and from its capacity to adapt over time. The city of Venice is a powerful example, showing how a hybrid urban fabric — with commercial spaces, residences, and navigable canals — expresses authenticity through continuity and a deep connection with its natural and historical environment.
Authenticity also lies in the DNA of a building and its ability to dialogue with its future functions. Buildings that can evolve without losing their character and identity, while being able to respond to sustainability challenges and social change. Authenticity is also rooted in sensory experience and in a building’s capacity to generate atmosphere. A place must be lived in and experienced, not just observed. Atmosphere is understood as something that cannot be quantified — it’s the way people encounter a building or a project. When people love a project, it can thrive.
Photography by Fabio Delfino
