Anyone walking through the Giardini area of Venice during the Biennale is bound to notice the striking installation at the Estonian Pavilion. Even from a distance, the partially insulated Venetian house stands out, its façade clad in Swisspearl panels. The sharp, intentional contrast between the traditional red plaster and the new, pale fiber cement surface is impossible to ignore. The installation "Let me warm you" makes the Estonian Pavilion a visually powerful and highly visible statement.
Let Me Warm You – a pavilion curated by architects Keiti Lige, Elina Liiva, and Helena Männa – raises a timely question: Are energy-efficient renovations in Europe’s large-scale residential areas merely bureaucratic measures, or could they serve as meaningful tools for spatial and social transformation?
In Venice, the very idea of adding thermal insulation to a historic building is nearly impossible for reasons related to preserving the cityscape. The curators use the element of surprise in their installation to emphasize that building renovations should not be limited to energy efficiency alone—they must also consider architectural quality. At the same time, renovation can offer an opportunity to address broader societal and spatial challenges.
In Estonia, this principle is being put into practice: residential buildings are currently undergoing large-scale renovations using prefabricated façade elements, as part of the government's ambitious climate policy.
Inside the pavilion, a ground-floor room is enveloped in plastic film, creating a striking exhibition space that explores how social dynamics between various stakeholders shape our built environment. Set within the familiar interior of a typical apartment, the plastic wrapping symbolizes the constant push for renovation — while also pointing to how technical upgrades can sometimes conceal the deeper, emotional connections people have with their homes.
At the center of the room stands a scale model of a Soviet-era housing block. Through theatrical dialogues and exaggerated spatial transformations, the installation invites visitors to reflect on the growing tension between top-down energy policies and the everyday lives of those who must live with their consequences.
The Estonian Pavilion: Riva dei Sette Martiri 1611, Venetsia
Main picture: estonianpavilion
Other pictures: Madis Sander
2025 Venice Architecture Biennale will run from May 10 to November 23.
