Venice Biennale 2025 Partnership Announced

The Swayn Gallery of Australian Design has been named as the Curatorial Partner for "HOME," the Australian Pavilion at the 19th International Architecture Exhibition, La Biennale di Venezia, which will run from May 8 to November 20, 2025. The exhibition, presented by the Australian Institute of Architects, will celebrate and promote a participatory and immersive experience that is culturally rich, rooted in Country, and informed by First Nations knowledge as well as innovation in architecture and design.

The HOME proposal brings together leading First Nations architects and practitioners, including Dr Michael Mossman, Emily McDaniel, and Jack Gillmer (Lilley), to create a pavilion that redefines "home" through memory, sensation, relationships, and the future. The immersive experience integrates both natural and artificial elements, emphasising sustainability and a deep cultural connection to Country.

A central feature of the pavilion will be the interactive "Country Sphere," a space designed to engage the senses through earth, sound, and touch. Visitors will be encouraged to leave their mark on the Living Canvas, blending ancient traditions with contemporary technologies. Augmented reality will also extend the experience, creating a multi-dimensional connection between the physical and digital realms.

In collaboration with the Creative Sphere of Indigenous leadership, including Clarence Slockee, Kaylie Salvatori, Elle Davidson, and Bradley Kerr, the exhibition will feature rich cultural programming. This includes storytelling, performances, and hands-on cultural exchanges, inviting visitors to engage with the theme of "home" on a deeper level.

Through its focus on culture, sustainability, and the ethical use of materials, HOME challenges conventional exhibition practices. It proposes that materials can be returned to Country, ensuring minimal environmental impact while fostering architectural innovation. Positioned as a transformative experience, the pavilion will leave a lasting legacy that integrates Indigenous knowledge into contemporary architectural practice, inspiring future generations to build with a greater cultural and environmental consciousness.