Germany 2025

Title: Stresstest
Commissioner: Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development and Building
Curators: Nicola Borgmann, Elisabeth Endres, Gabriele G. Kiefer, Daniele Santucci,
Exhibitors: A24 Landschaft, ADEPT, Agence Ter, Atelier Descombes Rampini, atelier le balto, Atelier Loidl, Barkow Leibinger, bgmr Landschaftsarchitekten, Christoph Brech, capattistaubach urbane landschaften, Christoph Hesse Architects, David Chipperfield Architects, EMF landscape architects, Foster + Partners, GemüseheldInnen Frankfurt, Gluck Landschaftsarchitektur, GROSS.MAX. LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS, Grüntuch Ernst Architects, gruppe F | Freiraum für alle, Henning Larsen, IN SITU – Paysages et urbanisme, Hanns Joosten, Karres en Brands, Landschaftsarchitektur+, LOLA Landscape Architects, MAN MADE LAND, MTD Landschapsarchitecten, MVRDV, POLA Landscape Architects, raderschallpartner, rajek barosch landschaftsarchitektur, relais Landschaftsarchitekten, RMP Stephan Lenzen Landschaftsarchitekten, Julian Rosefeldt, Sauerbruch Hutton, Schønherr, Site Practice, SLA, Stefan Tischer | Landscape Architect, Studio Vulkan Landschaftsarchitektur, TOPOTEK 1, Uniola, Valentien + Valentien, Vogt Landscape Architects, Wagon Landscaping, WES LandschaftsArchitektur, ZUS [Zones Urbaines Sensibles]

The exhibition in the German Pavilion is designed as an immersive experience, inviting visitors to engage with the extreme climatic conditions increasingly affecting cities. It is divided into two key areas: “Stress” and “Destress”.

In the “Stress” rooms, visitors experience the heat islands of an overheated city firsthand. Sealed surfaces, a lack of shade, and reflective facades drive up temperatures—creating both a physical and mental strain. This oppressive yet necessary experience highlights the scale of the challenge.

The “Destress” spaces, by contrast, present adaptation strategies, demonstrating how architecture, landscape architecture, and urban planning can work together to create resilient, sustainable, and liveable cities. Cooling green spaces, innovative shading solutions, and intelligent material choices emerge as key tools for a climate-adapted urban future.

An effective response to rising urban heat stress requires precise analysis. “Stresstest” uses digital city models to simulate and visualise microclimates in real time, identifying at-risk areas and informing new planning strategies. The exhibition underscores the need for an integrated approach, where politics, urban planning, business, and citizens collaborate to develop sustainable solutions.