The 16th edition of the Venice Architectural Biennale kicked off last week, with throngs of tourists infiltrating the Bride of the Sea for the event. This year’s theme is “Freespace,” which co-curators Yvonne Farrell and Shelley McNamara of Grafton Architects see as the ideal state of architecture—bridging pubic and private spaces.
From religion to sex, the exhibitors didn’t shy away from hot-button topics. The Vatican’s 10 architect-designed chapels created as much buzz as a Cruising Pavilion centering on gay culture. But it was the Swiss Pavilion’s “House Tour” that snagged a Golden Lion for its playful approach to scale.
The biennale runs through November 25, with 71 participants in the main “Freespace” pavilions, plus 63 national participants and a bevvy of satellite events. Here are the highlights of this year’s show.
Island: Great Britain, Giardini
Great Britain’s Pavilion “Island.” Image courtesy of La Biennale di Venezia.
Work, Body, Leisure: The Netherlands, Giardini
Netherland’s Pavilion “Work, Body, Leisure.” Photo by Italo Rondinella, image courtesy of La Biennale di Venezia.
Netherland’s Pavilion “Work, Body, Leisure.” Photo by Italo Rondinella, image courtesy of La Biennale di Venezia.
Repair: Australia, Giardini
Australia Pavilion’s “Repair.” Photo by Italo Rondinella, image courtesy of La Biennale di Venezia.
Australia Pavilion’s “Repair.” Photo by Italo Rondinella, image courtesy of La Biennale di Venezia.
Infinite Places—Building or Making Places?: France, Giardini
France’s Pavilion “Infinite Places.” Photo by Italo Rondinella, image courtesy of La Biennale di Venezia.
France’s Pavilion “Infinite Places.” Photo by Italo Rondinella, image courtesy of La Biennale di Venezia.
In Statu Quo: Structures of a Neighborhood: Israel, Giardini
Israel’s “In Statu Quo: Structures of Negotiation.” Photo by Italo Rondinella, image courtesy of La Biennale di Venezia.
Israel’s “In Statu Quo: Structures of Negotiation.” Photo by Italo Rondinella, image courtesy of La Biennale di Venezia.
Unbuilding Walls: Germany, Giardini
Germany’s “Unbuilding Walls.” Photo by Italo Rondinella, image courtesy of La Biennale di Venezia.
Germany’s “Unbuilding Walls.” Photo by Italo Rondinella, image courtesy of La Biennale di Venezia.
Another Generosity: Nordic Countries, Giardini
Nordic Country’s Pavilion “Another Generosity.” Photo by Italo Rondinella, image courtesy of La Biennale di Venezia.
Nordic Country’s Pavilion “Another Generosity.” Photo by Italo Rondinella, image courtesy of La Biennale di Venezia.
Dimensions of Citizenship: United States of America, Giardini
United States’s Pavilion “Dimensions of Citizenship.” Image courtesy of La Biennale di Venezia.
United States’s Pavilion “Dimensions of Citizenship.” Image courtesy of La Biennale di Venezia.
Svizzera 240–House Tour: Switzerland, Giardini
Switerland’s Pavilion “Svizzera 240: House Tour.” Photo: Christian Beutler/Keystone, image courtesy of La Biennale di Venezia.
Switerland’s Pavilion “Svizzera 240: House Tour.” Photo: Christian Beutler/Keystone, image courtesy of La Biennale di Venezia.
Vértigo Horizontal: Argentina, Arsenale
The “Pampas Box” in the Argentine Pavilion’s “Vertical Horizontal.” Image by Alam Mulyana via Instagram.
Argentina Pavilion’s “Vértigo Horizontal” image courtesy of La Biennale di Venezia.
Free Market: Ireland, Arsenale
Ireland’s “Free Market.” Photo by Francesco Galli, image courtesy of La Biennale di Venezia.
Ireland’s “Free Market.” Photo by Francesco Galli, image courtesy of La Biennale di Venezia.
No More Free Space?: Singapore, Arsenale
Singapore’s Pavilion “No More Free Space?” Image courtesy of La Biennale di Venezia.
Singapore’s Pavilion “No More Free Space?” Image courtesy of La Biennale di Venezia.
Cruising Pavilion, Venice
Installation view of the Cruising Pavilion, photo: Louis De Belle.
Tom Burr, Anthology of Writings 1991-2015, edited by Florence Derieux, published by Sternberg Press. Courtesy of the Cruising Pavilion.
Vatican Chapels: Holy See, San Giorgio Maggiore
Exterior View of the Holy See Pavilion. Image Courtesy of MAP Studio / ALPI Courtesy of MAP Studio / ALPI.
Robin Hood Gardens: A Ruin in Reverse: Victoria & Albert Museum, Pavilion of Applied Arts
The Robin Hood Gardens Estate mid-demolition. Photo by Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images.
DO HO SUH’s “Robin Hood Gardens, Woolmore Street, London E14 0HG” (film still), 2018. © Do Ho Suh. Courtesy of the artist, Lehmann Maupin New York and Hong Kong, and Victoria Miro London and Venice.