Free spaces / Freespace
The Venice Architecture Biennale is one of the oldest and most prestigious international forums for architecture. It was founded in 1980 and a few days ago its sixteenth edition was launched.
The Biennale includes national pavilions representing the respective country(ies) as well as individual projects by invited architects or architectural collectives.
This year's edition of the Biennale features 65 countries, more than 100 individual projects and numerous other side events and exhibitions.
Bulgaria took part only once in 2008.
traditionally, the Biennale is held in two main locations: the Giardini - with predominantly national pavilions and the Arsenale - with selected concepts and projects. Numerous additional venues with exhibitions and installations throughout the city and neighbouring islands join the Biennale.
This year's Architecture Biennale is curated by Yvonne Farrell and Shaylee McNamara. Both are founders of Irish architecture studio Grafton Architects. Their work has won numerous prestigious international architectural awards.
For the theme of the 16th Architecture Biennale, they formulated the concept of FREESPACE
The FREESPACE concept combines the ideas of accessibility, generosity, humanity, democracy.
FREESPACE focuses on the quality of the living environment it creates, on its interrelations with nature, with history, with the cultural identity of society.
MANIFEST
"- FREESPACE puts generosity and humanity at the center of the architecture agenda, focusing on the quality of spaces.
- FREESPACE focuses on architecture's ability to give spatial experiences to its inhabitants.
- FREESPACE prompts architecture's ability to reveal more and unexpected generosity in every project - even in the most isolated and limiting cases.
- FREESPACE provides an opportunity to highlight the presence of natural values - sunlight and moonlight; water; air; earth's pull; natural resources.
- FREESPACE encourages rethinking ways of thinking, and creating innovative solutions to ensure the well-being and dignity for every citizen of this fragile planet.
- FREESPACE can be a space with many possibilities; a democratic, accessible and free to use space.
- FREESPACE provides the freedom to re-create and materialise the spirit of time and memory, linking together the past, the present and the future, overlaying legacy cultural layers and weaving the archaic with the contemporary."
Yvonne Farrell and Shaylee McNamara, curators of the Venice Architecture Biennale 2018
Yvonne Farrell + Shelley McNamara Curator of Biennale Architettura 2018
The aim of the Biennale is on the one hand to present the most interesting architectural and building achievements, but also to formulate and synthesize architecture as a reflection of innovative concepts for the planning and development of society as a whole and the territories it inhabits.
The projects presented unleash the power of architecture to respond to the desires and needs of its users, as well as to subdue and stimulate their feelings and senses, physical and mental state.
The variety and quantity of projects and ideas presented is dizzying and difficult to take in and comprehend in a few days.
Participants have different approaches in choosing the method, style and approach of presentation.
Some rely on presenting current or recently realised real projects, others on concepts created specifically for the Biennale.
Some of the most exciting are those that immerse visitors in extraordinary spatial installations, giving a sensory and spiritual adventure
PAVILION SWITZERLAND "HOUSE TOUR", Golden Lion Award, Venice 2018
The pavilion presents an architectural sensory walk through identical consecutive spaces, with a progressively increasing/decreasing scale and demonstrates visually the power of impact of the different spaces.
PAVILION GREAT BRITAIN "ISLAND", Special Prize, Venice 2018
the pavilion offers a "soaring" above the biennaleand generously draws with great views and fragrant English tea.
ANDRA MATIN "ELEVATION" PAVILION," Special Prize, Venice 2018
A sensual contemporary reading of traditional techniques, materials and forms.
PAVILION KOSOVO "the CITYisEVERYWHERE"
A wonderful representation of Kosovo through a philosophical interpretation of the contemporary urban landscape with blocks and satellite dishes.
SCANDINAVIAN PAVILION "ANOTHER GENEROSITY"
An interactive, action-responsive installation of membranes containing air, water and light. These cellular structures interpret the role of architecture as a mediator between the natural and artificial environment.
PAVILION CHINA "CLOUD VILLAGE"
This installation showcases a futuristic innovative high-tech parametric construction made by 3D printing
PAVILION AUSTRIA
Sensory "confusion" of perceptions through effects and materials
PAVILION AUSTRALIA "REPAIR"
There is no greater feeling of freedom and positive energy than that generated by a green meadow. The Australian Pavilion focuses on nature and the relationship of man and architecture to it. A girl removing withered petals is "part of the installation" and unequivocally highlights the need for constant care and attention
The Vatican's presentation of its solo exhibition featuring ten conceptual "chapels" by ten world-renowned architects is extremely curious. The chapel is presented as a place of connection between Man and Heaven, Nature, Light, a place of solitude, meditation and peace.
a PAVILION OF VATICAN , PARACLIS Norman Foster
A construction in which the "crosses" act as the main supporting elements and form a "prestressed" spatial structure. The chapel suggests the symbolic feeling of a ship with sails floating in the stormy ocean.
VATICANA PAVILION , PARACLIS Javier Corvalán
A cylindrical space that "wants to swallow you up", that rests "on magic" and "sways" in the face of stronger natural phenomena such as earthquakes and wind.