Canal Café: From Vision To Award-Winning Reality

Nijhuis Saur Industries (NSI) is proud to announce that it has been awarded the prestigious Golden Lion Award at the 19th Venice La Biennale for its bold and visionary project, Canal Café — a unique water treatment plant that turns the iconic waters of Venice into high-quality espresso, redefining water reuse and innovation.

A golden moment for water innovation
The Golden Lion Award celebrates excellence in architecture, sustainability, and innovation. Canal Café stands out for its technical ingenuity and compelling message: water, even from unexpected sources, holds untapped potential when approached with creativity and care.

Menno M. Holterman, CEO of NSI, emphasized the significance of the recognition:
“This award underscores Nijhuis Saur Industries’ role as a global leader in water technology and circular economy solutions. Through innovative, practical, and inspirational projects like Canal Café, the company continues to deliver on its #MissionWater, driving sustainable water use and resource recovery.”

The birth of a bold concept
The idea behind Canal Café was first introduced at Aquatech Amsterdam in March 2025, a collaboration between NSI and Diller Scofidio + Renfro (DS+R). The concept challenges perceptions of water reuse by transforming Venetian canal water—filtered and purified through advanced technology—into fresh espresso.

What started as a provocation is now a powerful prototype for sustainable cities.

Redefining water reuse
Located in the heart of the Venice La Biennale, Canal Café is more than just a café—it’s a living installation. Here, brackish canal water is purified using NSI’s advanced treatment system, producing high-quality drinking water for espresso. Visitors are invited to experience firsthand the possibilities of advanced water reuse, contributing to a sustainable future.

Visitors can enjoy this unique espresso at the Canal Café until November 23, making a direct impact on sustainable water use with every cup.

Canal Café is the result of a multidisciplinary, international collaboration:

• Diller Scofidio + Renfro (DS+R) led the conceptual and architectural design, blending form and function into a space that embodies sustainability.
• Natural Systems Utilities, part of NSI, provided expertise in decentralized water treatment, turning canal water into potable water with minimal environmental impact.

Zach Gallagher, CEO, adds: “This project allows the public to interact with water in a completely new and personal way. If we can take canal water in Venice and turn it into one of the finest espressos, what else can we do to protect and preserve the most essential resource for life?”

• Sodai, NSI’s Italian engineering firm, ensured local implementation within Venice’s historic infrastructure.

Marzia Chiesa, Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer, reflected: “Canal Café is more than an installation—it is a symbol of cultural transformation. It shows how we can close the loop and restore water to its true value. Strangely enough, the future of water might just be in that cup of coffee.”

• Nijhuis Saur Industries, part of Saur group coordinated the project and delivered technical solutions that reflect decades of leadership in water management innovation.

“Canal Café is a testament to what is possible when we challenge conventional thinking about water reuse,” says Menno M. Holterman. “This project is a symbol of our commitment to rethink water solutions for resilient and vibrant cities and communities around the globe.”

• Aaron Betsky, curator and critic, enriched the project’s cultural and conceptual depth.
• Michelin-starred chef Davide Oldani crafted a special menu showcasing the unique properties of the purified canal water.
• Webuild, a global leader in sustainable infrastructure, supported project execution and logistics.

A glimpse into the future
Canal Café is not just a milestone—it’s a beginning. The project has sparked international dialogue on how cities can tackle water scarcity, climate resilience, and urban sustainability through bold, imaginative thinking. As the world’s water challenges grow more complex, NSI’s pioneering work demonstrates that innovation, collaboration, and vision can brew real solutions—one cup at a time.

Where will Canal Café inspire change next?

About Diller Scofidio
Founded in 1981, Diller Scofidio + Renfro (DS+R) is a New York-based design studio specializing in architecture, urban design, installation art, multimedia performance, and digital media. With a focus on cultural and civic projects, DS+R reimagines the role of institutions and the future of cities. The studio, led by partners Elizabeth Diller, Ricardo Scofidio, Charles Renfro, and Benjamin Gilmartin, is comprised of over 100 architects, designers, artists, and researchers. For more information, visit​ www.dsrny.com

The Future of Water starts here.
About Nijhuis Saur Industries (NSI)
Founded in 1904, Nijhuis Saur Industries, part of Saur Group, today is one of the global water quality service providers delivering solid and adaptive solutions for sustainable and resilient water use, energy- and resource recovery. Since the inception of Saur’s Industrial Water platform in 2020 more than 18 companies have been successfully acquired and integrated into one global operating company supporting municipal and industrial clients in over 140 countries with engineering and consultancy services, EPC / DBFOM project execution, mobile water solutions, O&M site services and Water As A Service . With an extensive portfolio of innovative technologies and game-changing solutions, Nijhuis Saur Industries deliver local, scalable, and circular water-on-demand solutions to more than 7.000 references around the world and contributes to a more sustainable and resilient future.

Our purpose is to be an advocate for water, ensuring everyone gives water the value it deserves. With our unique Customer for Life approach, we protect water resources, contribute to the water-, energy-, waste- and food transition, and help to restore and close the water loop. We call it #MissionWater.

NSI’s expertise is further strengthened by the integration of companies such as Natural Systems Utilities and Sodai S.p.A. Natural Systems Utilities is a leader in distributed water reclamation and turnkey reuse innovation, currently operating over 400 systems across North America, including the largest base of onsite reuse and natural treatment systems in the United States. Sodai S.p.A. specializes in the treatment of primary or wastewater and process fluids, offering tailored solutions with a sustainability-oriented approach, covering the entire lifecycle of water treatment plants including Operation & Maintenance. Together, these companies enhance NSI’s ability in this prestigious Canal Café project to convert the canal water in Venice to the best high quality espresso. For more information, visit​ www.nijhuissaurindustries.com