Performance-Based
Façade Design
11-13 Sept. 2025 | Venice, Italy
Sept. 11 SEMINAR
Technology Meets Nature
The 3rd edition of the Performance-Based Façade Design (PBFD) initiative, titled Technology Meets Nature, will continue its mission to bring together global leaders and innovators in façade design. Building on the success of the previous years, the 2025 seminar will explore the intersection of advanced technologies and natural elements in the evolution of building envelopes.
Sept. 12 DEBATES
Façades as Drivers for Sustainable Developments
The day's debates on Façades as Drivers for Sustainable Developments will center on the transformative role façades play in promoting sustainability within the built environment. Experts will explore how innovative façade technologies and design strategies contribute to energy efficiency, resource conservation, and climate resilience. The debate will focus on key topics such as the integration of circular economy principles, the potential for material reuse, and how façades can increase their service life.
Sept. 13 OFF-SITE ACTIVITIES
Simeon Factory and De Stefani Winery Tours
A Journey Beyond Ideas and Into Taste
The technical visit begins with private transportation from Venice city center to Simeon’s production facility, where high-performance façade systems are manufactured. The tour includes a detailed examination of the latest mock-ups featuring crafted pressed terracotta, designed for installation in New York City.
The visit continues with a tour of Cantina De Stefani, where participants acquire in-depth knowledge of the historical and technical aspects of winemaking in the Veneto region. This includes a guided exploration of the vineyards and cellars, followed by a wine tasting session.
Sat 13 SeptCittà Metropolitana di Venezia
The Full Story
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2025 Keynote Speakers
2025 Speakers
2025 Moderators
2025 Panel Session
2025 Event Venues: Auditorium, Grand Finale, Hotel
Auditorium Santa Margherita, Venice
The third edition of PBFD will take place in the prestigious Auditorium Santa Margherita, a venue that perfectly embodies the intersection of history, culture, and innovation. Located in the heart of Venice, this former 13th-century church has been transformed into a versatile cultural hub, renowned for hosting international conferences, artistic performances, and workshop events. The auditorium's unique blend of Gothic and Venetian architecture, coupled with its elegant vaulted ceilings and preserved fresco fragments, creates an inspiring atmosphere for creative and technical exchange.
The choice of Auditorium Santa Margherita underscores the initiative's commitment to connecting cutting-edge façade design with Venice’s rich architectural legacy, providing a fitting stage for advancing the future of performance-based façade innovation.
Grand Finale location: Palazzo Nani Bernardo
Located in the heart of Venice on the Grand Canal, between Ca’ Rezzonico and Ca’ Foscari, Palazzo Nani Bernardo is a 16th-century palace. The building features a typically Renaissance façade with remarkable compactness and regularity, divided into a ground floor, two noble floors, and an attic. Originally adorned with frescoes and decorative motifs, small fragments of these are still visible on the sides of the building. The façade, clad in white marble, is also distinguished by two 18th-century coats of arms positioned at the level of the second floor between the windows.
The Palazzo is accessed via a splendid entrance from the Grand Canal, leading to a grand main staircase that provides access to the two noble floors. Inside, it boasts a truly unique Italian-style garden, one of the largest private gardens in Venice.
Hotel Avani Rio Novo Venice, Venice
We recommend attendees take advantage of the special experience of staying at Avani Rio Novo Venice, the official PBFD 2025 conference hotel. Located in the heart of Dorsoduro—one of Venice’s most authentic and artistic neighborhoods, close to the Auditorium Santa Margherita and Palazzo Nani Bernardo venues—this contemporary hotel offers the perfect blend of comfort, convenience, and design.
Special rates are available exclusively for PBFD participants for stays between 10–14 September 2025, making it an ideal base for engaging with the PBFD network throughout the event.
The hotel is within walking distance of the main conference venues and offers easy access to Venice’s cultural landmarks.
For details on how to book with the PBFD rate, please refer to our accommodations page or contact us directly.
