Prada launches Ocean Learning Hub, an educational center for marine studies, in Venice's lagoon
Prada's Ocean Literacy Centre Opens in Venice
The Sea Beyond Ocean Literacy Centre, part of the SEA BEYOND Ocean Literacy programme, has recently been unveiled on the island of San Servolo in the Venetian lagoon. This centre, a hub for marine science education and community-driven ocean action, is an initiative by the luxury fashion brand Prada.
The data visualization in the centre is conceived by the Milan-based creative studio Dotdotdot, with interiors featuring a palette of blues to evoke the feeling of 'water entering inside.' The building incorporates reused timber and circular solutions in its design, including a closed-loop water filtration system. The ground appears to be concrete but is made with shells from the ocean.
The centre's collaboration with UNESCO-IOC marks a significant step in Prada's positioning as a patron of science and the environment. Lorenzo Bertelli, Prada Group's head of corporate social responsibility, stated that the centre was initiated with the aim of having a positive impact on society and the environment.
The Sea Beyond Ocean Literacy Centre features an enfilade of rooms, each dedicated to the visualization of different kinds of ocean-related data. The final room is dedicated to an interactive game for children and school groups. Venice, a city vulnerable to rising oceans and with a long history of oceanic research, was chosen as the site for the centre.
Prada has recently positioned itself as a patron of science and the environment, as evidenced by the opening of the Sea Beyond Ocean Literacy Centre. This initiative is part of a broader partnership that includes funding youth-led ocean conservation projects worldwide with an initial €2 million contribution from the Prada Group.
The MOSE system, a retractable barrier shielding Venice from incoming sea surges, was completed in 2020. The architect Carlo Ratti, who is also the curator of the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale, is credited with the design of the Sea Beyond Ocean Literacy Centre.
Visitors can explore the centre on Tuesdays and Fridays from 10am to 12pm and from 3pm to 5pm. The centre serves as a dedicated space to foster deep emotional connections to the ocean and promote ocean regeneration through education and community engagement. It aims to inspire connection, awareness, and action among a diverse and inclusive ocean community.
This is the beginning of a long journey for Prada in their efforts to make a positive impact on society and the environment. The Sea Beyond Ocean Literacy Centre is a testament to their commitment to fostering environmental stewardship and scientific literacy among young people.
- In alignment with the Sea Beyond Ocean Literacy Centre's mission, Prada's initiative aims to foster deep emotional connections to the ocean and promote ocean regeneration through science and environmental education, particularly within home-and-garden contexts, offering a crucial understanding on climate-change effects on our environment.
- Concurrently, Prada's commitment to environmental stewardship and scientific literacy is further emphasized through their partnership, which comprises funding of youth-driven climate-change projects and supporting environmental-science education centred around the ocean lifestyle, a significant stride in enhancing worldwide ocean conservation efforts.
