zerunews.com-logo

Architectural Engagement: Bridging Theory and Reality

The Vision for the 20th International Architecture Exhibition

Curators Wang Shu and Lu Wenyu have announced the theme for the 20th International Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia, titled "Do Architecture: The Possibility of Coexistence in the Face of Real Reality." Set to take place from May 8th to November 21st, 2027, this theme reorients architecture as a direct, tangible response to the multifaceted challenges of an unstable global environment. It signifies a notable pivot from technologically-driven dialogues towards an approach deeply rooted in physical reality, emphasizing materials, community engagement, traditional skills, and daily experiences.

Addressing Global Instability Through Concrete Actions

The chosen theme aims to confront the instability generated by ecological crises, accelerated urbanization, the abstract nature of technology, and the gradual loss of cultural memory. By selecting the direct and action-oriented title "Do Architecture," the curators advocate for a return to fundamental architectural principles. This call to action urges the profession to transcend excessive conceptualization and re-establish a profound connection with the physical processes of construction, inhabitation, and the harmonious coexistence of elements.

Reconnecting Architecture with 'Real Reality'

In their introduction, Wang Shu and Lu Wenyu characterize the current global situation as one marked by uncertainty, volatility, and a detachment from genuine experience. They contend that modern architecture has frequently lost touch with the specific locales and communities it is intended to serve. The curators caution against architectural practices driven purely by commercial interests, speed, and superficial imagery, stating that "overly conceptual experiments are often detached from reality."

Acknowledging Architecture's Role in Crisis

Wang Shu and Lu Wenyu explicitly link architecture's current practices to the ongoing environmental and cultural crises. They assert that "architecture must recognize the depth of the crisis in which it finds itself," highlighting the detrimental effects of large-scale construction on both natural ecosystems and historical urban landscapes. The exhibition proposes an alternative: a more deliberate and hands-on architectural methodology that prioritizes continuity, memory, and restoration.

The Revival of Craftsmanship, Memory, and Local Knowledge

A core tenet of the Biennale's curatorial approach draws inspiration from Amateur Architecture Studio, founded by Wang Shu and Lu Wenyu. Their work consistently explores the use of repurposed materials, indigenous building techniques, and the integration of both ancient and modern construction methods. The curators stress the critical importance of not only salvaging materials but also revitalizing local cultural narratives and artisanal skills, advocating for architecture that champions the diversity and unique character of various places.

Interrogating Contemporary Challenges and Solutions

The exhibition will delve into a range of critical questions concerning architecture's relationship with climate change, artificial intelligence, rural and urban development, and collective participation. A central inquiry posed during the announcement was: "Can artificial intelligence coexist with the tactility of human architecture?" The Biennale intends to explore how passive and active environmental strategies, traditional construction expertise, and cutting-edge technologies can harmoniously coexist without eroding local identities and lived experiences.

Venice: A Living Canvas for Architectural Intervention

Beyond the traditional venues of the Giardini and the Arsenale, the 2027 Biennale will integrate architectural interventions directly into the city of Venice itself. Drawing parallels to the 1964 Venice Charter on heritage conservation, Wang Shu and Lu Wenyu view Venice as an active participant in the exhibition. The curatorial duo emphasized the need to acknowledge and engage with "the city in which the exhibition is taking place, Venice," citing Italo Calvino to prevent it from becoming "an invisible city."

Emphasizing Education and Collective Engagement

The curators also underscored the significant role of education and collaborative exchange within the Biennale. They envision workshops, dialogues, and direct participatory activities that extend beyond mere discussion to encompass physical involvement and actual construction. Their concluding sentiment, "We should not only discuss, we should do," encapsulates the spirit of practical engagement.

A Call to Re-evaluate Architecture's Core Principles

The 2027 edition marks the 20th International Architecture Exhibition since architecture became an independent department of the Biennale in 1980, under the direction of Paolo Portoghesi. With "Do Architecture," Wang Shu and Lu Wenyu position this anniversary event as a compelling invitation to re-conceptualize architecture as an ethical and material practice firmly anchored in coexistence, continuity, and tangible reality.