Engineering and architecture collaboration shortlisted for major award in Venice
"Impluvium Redux," an innovative architectural structure designed by Juan José Castellón of Rice University's School of Architecture, has been shortlisted for the 2025 European Cultural Centre (ECC) Awards in the University Project category. The project, now on exhibition in Venice as part of Time Space Existence 2025, represents a powerful model of interdisciplinary collaboration between Rice's School of Architecture and Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
At its core, "Impluvium Redux" is a reimagining of ancient water infrastructure for the challenges of today. The modular system is designed to be deployed on rooftops or public spaces, collecting and cleaning rainwater through hollow ceramic structural columns and a lightweight, folding canopy membrane. The structure not only functions as a sustainable water-harvesting device, but it also creates a public space—bringing together architecture, infrastructure and community.
"My goal is always that it's not only functional but also beautiful," Castellón said. "I want to bring the senses back to architecture—the touch of materials, the feeling of the space, temperature, sound. I want to awaken senses that have grown sleepy with today's technologies."
The idea for the design was rooted in Castellón's hometown in Spain.
"In my city, the strongest material cultures are textiles and ceramics," he said. "So I thought, what if instead of building a water tank from timber and steel, I imagined a ceramic structure that is hollow, evoking vernacular Spanish architecture? What if a column could collect water, serve as structure and function as a thermodynamic system?"
The prototype now on display in Venice stands roughly 5 meters tall, built from modular ceramic "bones" that function as both structure and water collectors. Its lightweight canopy opens and closes to capture rainfall, channeling water into the hollow columns for storage. The canopy also doubles as a waterproof membrane that filters and cleans the rainwater for reuse.
"It's modular—if we need a taller one, we can just add more components, like Legos," Castellón said. He noted that the design of the columns was inspired by the work of Spanish architect Miguel Fisac, who famously created concrete structures with a bonelike form.
From the project's beginning, collaboration across disciplines was key. Soon after joining Rice in 2018, Castellón connected with Qilin Li, professor of civil and environmental engineering, whose research on water infrastructure and treatment methods resonated with his architectural vision.
"Qilin explained that she was working on water collection, treatment and cleaning solutions that are not based on chemicals, and I was interested in this ecological approach," Castellón said. "Engineers often focus on function, while architects emphasize form, and my colleagues in engineering have helped me see how design could intersect with water treatment and infrastructure in ways that are both technically innovative and socially impactful."
In addition to Li, Castellón partnered with the Rice WaTER Institute, the Carbon Hub, Rice Global, civil and environmental engineering department chair Jamie Padgett, vice president for global strategy Caroline Levander and global engineering firm Arup alongside Rice students who contributed to the design, prototyping and construction of the Venice installation.
The ECC Awards jury—comprised of leaders from ArchDaily, STIRworld, the EUmies Awards and other prominent organizations—selected "Impluvium Redux" from more than 200 projects across 52 countries. Winners will be announced at the closing of Time Space Existence Nov. 23.
Beyond Venice, Castellón and his collaborators are exploring opportunities to bring "Impluvium Redux" prototypes to Rice's campus, including on the rooftop of the Ralph S. O'Connor Building for Engineering and Science.
"These kinds of achievements are only possible when people are engaged and support what you're doing," Castellón said. "It's a privilege to be included on this list and to share this opportunity with such a small, dedicated team. To me, this is already a win."
Provided by Rice University
