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{{Portal|Italy}}
{{Portal|Italy}}
”’The Biosphere of Genoa”’ (Italian: Biosfera), also commonly known as ”’The Glass Bubble”’ or ”’Renzo Piano’s Bubble”’ (Italian: ”La Bolla di Renzo Piano”), is a distinctive spherical glass and steel structure located inside Porto Antico (Old Harbour) of [[Genoa]], [[Italy]].
”’The Biosphere of Genoa”’ (Italian: Biosfera), also commonly known as ”’The Glass Bubble”’ or ”’Renzo Piano’s Bubble”’ (Italian: ”La Bolla di Renzo Piano”), is a distinctive spherical glass and steel structure located inside Porto Antico (Old Harbour) of [[Genoa]], [[Italy]].
Designed by architect [[Renzo Piano]], the structure was constructed in 2001, initially for the [[27th G8 summit|G8 summit]] held in the city. The sphere is suspended over the sea at Ponte Spinola, positioned immediately adjacent to the [[Aquarium of Genoa]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Biosphere Genoa |url=https://www.tiqets.com/en/biosphere-tickets-l145920/
Designed by architect [[Renzo Piano]], the structure was constructed in 2001, initially for the [[27th G8 summit|G8 summit]] held in the city. The sphere is suspended over the sea at Ponte Spinola, positioned immediately adjacent to the [[Aquarium of Genoa]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Biosphere Genoa |url=https://www.tiqets.com/en/biosphere-tickets-l145920/
|website=Tiqets |access-date=3 November 2025}}</ref>
|website=Tiqets |access-date=3 November 2025}}</ref>
Functioning as a greenhouse, the Biosfera recreates a complex micro-climate, housing a small tropical rainforest ecosystem with over 150 species of plants and animals, including tree ferns, palms, and various birds, turtles, and fish.<ref>{{cite web |title=Biosfera |url=https://portoantico.it/en/activities/biosphere/
Functioning as a greenhouse, the Biosfera recreates a complex micro-climate, housing a small tropical rainforest ecosystem with over 150 species of plants and animals, including tree ferns, palms, and various birds, turtles, and fish.<ref>{{cite web |title=Biosfera |url=https://portoantico.it/en/activities/biosphere/
|website=Porto Antico di Genova |access-date=3 November 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Biosphere |url=https://www.italia.it/en/liguria/genoa/biosphere
|website=Italia.it |publisher=Italian National Tourist Board |access-date=3 November 2025}}</ref>
|website=Italia.it |publisher=Italian National Tourist Board |access-date=3 November 2025}}</ref>
The structure is 20 metres (66 ft) in diameter, has a total weight of 60 tonnes, and provides an exhibition area of approximately 200 square metres (2,200 sq ft).<ref>{{cite web |title=Biosfera |url=https://www.lonelyplanet.com/italy/liguria–piedmont–and–valle–daosta/genoa/attractions/biosfera/a/poi–sig/460556/359915
The structure is 20 metres (66 ft) in diameter, has a total weight of 60 tonnes, and provides an exhibition area of approximately 200 square metres (2,200 sq ft).<ref>{{ web |title=Biosfera |url=https://.//—-////-//
|website=Lonely Planet |access-date=3 November 2025}}</ref>
==Description==
==Description==
Inside, a small portion of a tropical [[rainforest]] has been recreated, hosting over 150 species of animal and plant organisms such as [[bird]]s, [[turtle]]s, [[fish]], [[insect]]s, large [[tree fern]]s (Pteridophyta) from the city’s nurseries reaching up to seven meters in height, and various species of tropical plants traditionally used by humans. These plants thrive thanks to a computer-controlled [[climate system]] that maintains appropriate levels of [[temperature]] and [[humidity]] within the sphere.<ref name=”biosfera”>{{cite web |title=Biosfera |url=https://www.italia.it/en/liguria/genoa/biosphere |website=Italia.it |publisher=Italian National Tourist Board |access-date=3 November 2025}}</ref><ref name=”portoantico”>[http://www.portoantico.it/strutture/biosfera/](http://www.portoantico.it/strutture/biosfera/) The Biosphere on the Porto Antico di Genova website]</ref>
Inside, a small portion of a tropical [[rainforest]] has been recreated, hosting over 150 species of animal and plant organisms such as [[bird]]s, [[turtle]]s, [[fish]], [[insect]]s, large [[tree fern]]s (Pteridophyta) from the city’s nurseries reaching up to seven meters in height, and various species of tropical plants traditionally used by humans.<ref name=”biosfera”>{{cite web |title=Biosfera |url=https://www.italia.it/en/liguria/genoa/biosphere |website=Italia.it |publisher=Italian National Tourist Board = </ref><ref name=”portoantico”>[http://www.portoantico.it/strutture/biosfera/](http://www.portoantico.it/strutture/biosfera/) The Biosphere on the Porto Antico di Genova website]</ref>
It was designed by the Genoese architect [[Renzo Piano]] and opened to the public in [[2001]] on the occasion of the [[G8 Genoa|G8 summit in Genoa]]. Today, visiting the sphere is part of the [[Aquarium of Genoa]] tour.<ref name=“biosfera”/><ref name=“portoantico”/>
It was designed by the Genoese architect [[Renzo Piano]] and opened to the public in [[2001]] on the occasion of the [[G8 Genoa|G8 summit in Genoa]]. Today, visiting the sphere is part of the [[Aquarium of Genoa]] tour.<ref =/ =/>
There are two air conditioning systems: one [[Artificiality|artificial]], used in winter, consists of thermal machines located beneath the sphere that exploit the heat of seawater to power, via a [[heat pump]], a series of radiators; the other is [[Nature|natural]], made up of a system of movable sails that adjust according to the sun’s position, varying the amount of [[solar radiation]] entering (by shading more or less).<ref name=”secoloXIX”>{{cite web |title=La Bolla di Renzo Piano |url=https://www.ilsecoloxix.it/genova/ |website=Il Secolo XIX |access-date=3 November 2025}}</ref><ref>[http://www.tecnocupole.com/upload/stampa/plast1.pdf](http://www.tecnocupole.com/upload/stampa/plast1.pdf) The Biosphere roof system on the Tecnocupole Pancaldi website]</ref><ref name=”rolli”>[http://www.irolli.it/da_visitare_a_genova/37/bolla-di-renzo-piano.html](http://www.irolli.it/da_visitare_a_genova/37/bolla-di-renzo-piano.html) The Biosphere on [www.irolli.it](http://www.irolli.it)]</ref>
There are two air conditioning systems: one [[Artificiality|artificial]], used in winter, consists of thermal machines located beneath the sphere that exploit the heat of seawater to power, via a [[heat pump]], a series of radiators; the other is [[Nature|natural]], made up of a system of movable sails that adjust according to the sun’s position, varying the amount of [[solar radiation]] entering (by shading more or less).<ref name=”secoloXIX”>{{cite web |title=La Bolla di Renzo Piano |url=https://www.ilsecoloxix.it/genova/ |website=Il Secolo XIX |access-date=3 November 2025}}</ref><ref>[http://www.tecnocupole.com/upload/stampa/plast1.pdf](http://www.tecnocupole.com/upload/stampa/plast1.pdf) The Biosphere roof system on the Tecnocupole Pancaldi website]</ref><ref name=”rolli”>[http://www.irolli.it/da_visitare_a_genova/37/bolla-di-renzo-piano.html](http://www.irolli.it/da_visitare_a_genova/37/bolla-di-renzo-piano.html) The Biosphere on [www.irolli.it](http://www.irolli.it)]</ref>
Building in Genoa, Italy
The Biosphere of Genoa (Italian: Biosfera), also commonly known as The Glass Bubble or Renzo Piano’s Bubble (Italian: La Bolla di Renzo Piano)[1], is a distinctive spherical glass and steel structure located inside Porto Antico (Old Harbour) of Genoa, Italy.
Designed by architect Renzo Piano, the structure was constructed in 2001, initially for the G8 summit held in the city.[1] The sphere is suspended over the sea at Ponte Spinola, positioned immediately adjacent to the Aquarium of Genoa.[2][3]
Functioning as a greenhouse, the Biosfera recreates a complex micro-climate, housing a small tropical rainforest ecosystem with over 150 species of plants and animals, including tree ferns, palms, and various birds, turtles, and fish.[1][4][5]
The structure is 20 metres (66 ft) in diameter, has a total weight of 60 tonnes, and provides an exhibition area of approximately 200 square metres (2,200 sq ft).[6][7]
Inside, a small portion of a tropical rainforest has been recreated, hosting over 150 species of animal and plant organisms such as birds, turtles, fish, insects, large tree ferns (Pteridophyta) from the city’s nurseries reaching up to seven meters in height, and various species of tropical plants traditionally used by humans.[8][1][4][5] These plants thrive thanks to a computer-controlled climate system that maintains appropriate levels of temperature and humidity within the sphere.[9]
It was designed by the Genoese architect Renzo Piano and opened to the public in 2001 on the occasion of the G8 summit in Genoa.[1] Today, visiting the sphere is part of the Aquarium of Genoa tour.[10]
There are two air conditioning systems: one artificial, used in winter, consists of thermal machines located beneath the sphere that exploit the heat of seawater to power, via a heat pump, a series of radiators; the other is natural, made up of a system of movable sails that adjust according to the sun’s position, varying the amount of solar radiation entering (by shading more or less).[11][12][13]
The structure, designed by the famous Genoese architect, was officially inaugurated on January 19, 2002, by then Mayor of Genoa Giuseppe Pericu and Paolo Messina, CEO of Ignazio Messina & C. – which financed the project. The construction cost 4 billion Italian lire at the time.[11][14]
However, a series of technical problems that endangered the survival of animal and plant species led to its closure in February 2003. After necessary adjustments, it was reopened on October 1, 2003.[14][15]
