The project will show for the first time a full-scale fourth-generation lead-cooled fast reactor for maritime applications, defining a new image for nuclear energy.

Fincantieri, newcleo and Pininfarina have unveiled for the first time the look of next-generation sustainable nuclear power at the 19^th International Architecture Exhibition of the Venice Biennale. Together, the three have embraced the challenge of presenting at the prestigious exhibition – curated by Carlo Ratti – one of the most advanced solutions in clean energy production and sustainable design to tackle two of today’s most pressing challenges: climate change and decarbonization.

Combining technological vision, industrial expertise, and cutting-edge design, the three companies have collaborated to redefine the image of nuclear energy. Visitors are invited reimagine their preconceptions of nuclear power as they embark on a highly interactive journey exploring the extraordinary potential of atomic fission in combating climate change and decarbonizing human activities.

At the heart of the collaborative project, housed within Venice’s historic Corderie dell’Arsenale, stands a full-scale reproduction of the TL-40 liquid lead-cooled nuclear reactor designed by newcleo, a safe, sustainable, and compact reactor specifically engineered for powering large maritime vessels and to produce energy in off-grid and isolated areas.

Guided through an immersive experience, visitors will discover the functioning of the reactor, its ability to burn waste produced by traditional nuclear power plants, and its passive safety features that make it the ideal solution for powering energy-intensive human activities in a sustainable and decarbonized manner.

Pininfarina has brought aesthetic and symbolic qualities that heighten the reactor’s appeal and allure, while ensuring it remains accessible to the public. Visitors are presented with a reactor designed in an open configuration, allowing complete visibility from every angle and featuring numerous unexpected elements to create a sense of wonder.

Its distinctive silhouette, which is reminiscent of a grand vase, conveys a sense of suspension and weightlessness that dramatically contrasts with its actual mass of over two thousand kilograms. The exterior shell features a pattern of tightly arranged slats with a Moiré effect that accentuate its flowing contours, create sophisticated interplays of light and shadow, and impart a mesmerizing quality to the entire structure, which stands approximately five and a half meters tall.

Designed with an open-section approach, the reactor allows a direct view of its interior. The immersive experience in the heart of the machine allows visitors to immediately grasp the principles and processes that govern energy generation.

newcleo’s fourth-generation small modular reactors represent a revolutionary approach to the challenge of decarbonization, addressing the perceived limitations of conventional nuclear power. The innovative lead-cooling system incorporates passive safety mechanisms that eliminate the risk of nuclear incidents through the laws of physics that govern the reactor’s operation. Furthermore, these advanced modular reactors can eliminate waste from conventional nuclear reactors through a virtuous multi-recycling system, consuming it to produce clean, cost-effective, and virtually endless energy.

To illustrate these processes, the companies have set up a system for interactive visualization of data and information on nuclear energy and its role within the process of decarbonizing energy systems. The installation will reveal the effectiveness of nuclear energy in decarbonizing maritime transport, as well as the potential contained in existing nuclear waste stored in Europe, which would be sufficient to power the continent’s electricity demand for hundreds of years.

Pininfarina has curated the project’s creative vision by infusing newcleo’s technological solutions with design, bringing for the first time to the nuclear industry a creative vision that mixes technical and aesthetic elements to facilitate its integration in urban and peri-urban environments.

Fincantieri has contributed to the project its extensive experience in shipbuilding, studying a possible industrial application for newcleo’s innovative solution. Thanks to its track-record in managing complex projects, the company has ensured the integration of the naval sector’s most advanced technological innovations, combining operational efficiency, sustainability, and safety.

The joint project is more than an installation, it is a declaration of intent. The three companies are already collaborating to realize their shared vision. Fincantieri and newcleo have been collaborating since 2023 to study applications of newcleo’s technology for naval propulsion of newcleo’s technology. Similarly, Pininfarina is collaborating with newcleo to design a nuclear fuel research and development center that will be built in France, in Chusclan in the Gard region.

Showcasing this collaboration at the prestigious 19^th International Architecture Exhibition of the Venice Biennale provides a unique platform to present to the world an innovative, unprecedented, and forward-looking vision of nuclear energy—one that breaks from historical narratives and inspires a near-future where this inexhaustible clean energy source serves humanity by enabling the transformation toward a sustainable energy ecosystem.

Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO of Fincantieri, stated:

“Fincantieri’s vision has always been to anticipate the future through concrete, innovative, and sustainability-focused industrial solutions. Our collaboration with newcleo and Pininfarina at the 2025 Architecture Biennale marks a pivotal step in this direction, bringing to the maritime sector solutions that seamlessly integrate safety, efficiency, and environmental responsibility. This project exemplifies how technological innovation, industrial ingenuity, and design can converge to craft a new narrative for nuclear energy. At this historic moment when industry must decisively address both ecological transition and energy security challenges, we contribute our expertise in complex naval engineering and advanced technological system integration. The new generation of nuclear technologies is no longer merely a prospect—it’s a tangible catalyst for exploring new application frontiers, beginning with the maritime sector.”

Stefano Buono, founder and CEO of newcleo, stated:

“Through this installation, we’re introducing the world to a new paradigm of clean, sustainable nuclear energy designed to serve people and communities. Moving beyond the large reactors of the past, we’ve developed small, inherently safe reactors that solve the nuclear waste problem while delivering abundant decarbonized energy. Together with Pininfarina and Fincantieri, we’re unveiling a new vision for nuclear power engineered for forward-thinking societies that are committed to both progress and caring for the environment.”

Silvio Angori, Vicepresident and CEO at Pininfarina, stated:

“Design plays a strategic role in developing emerging technologies, particularly within sustainable energy solutions. It ensures the complete integration of social and environmental dimensions throughout the innovation process. Our partnership with newcleo and Fincantieri represents a tangible commitment to a future where design doesn’t simply accompany technology but elevates it, creating meaningful impact in addressing climate change challenges and supporting the global transition toward decarbonization.”