ARCHITECTURAL

COMPETITION

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VENICEBIENNALE2008

A U S T R A L I A N P A V I L I O N

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This new Australian

Pavilion expresses

a balance between

what is in danger of

being lost through

the rigors of time

with what will

eventually emerge

to replace it.

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Built on massive stone foundations that appear to sink into the shi! ing ground, the

symbolism is of the Venice we have come to expect as inevitable: the Beautiful Sinking

City... but revived by optimism and bluster.

The early studies of the form began as an exploration into the architectural expression

of “new growth”. The massive foundations were purposely created as imperfect blocks

skewed awkwardly into the ground. The roof planes were light and weightless forms

carried by a structural system that mimicked the large trees abundant throughout the

Gardens. A somewhat rigid geometry played off the sharp angles of the stone pylons.

As the design emerged, refi nements to the roof to be$ er enclose and protect the gallery

led inevitably to a compromise in the symbolic nature of the form. Too bad it rains in

Venice.

To properly display art, and to allow the most fl exibility in the presentation of a wide

variety of venues, the gallery became a more conventional enclosed space. A second fl oor

plaza was added for a sculpture garden or to function as a cafe or other mixed uses. A

translucent fabric roof was proposed, then replaced with a more substantial metal roof.

This upper roof was always seen as an expression of a lightweight organic treeline.

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The multi-faceted nature of the roof structure invites

the sun and allows its light to wander into the space,

casting diff use and complex shadows throughout the

volume. This roof took many forms as it was developed.

Its fi nal confi guration is constructed as lightweight metal

panels held in suspension by a discrete la$ ice of cables

and delicate hooped trusses. A crossing transept roof is

introduced to accentuate the exterior vertical access and

to provide a sculptural clearstory to the roo! op garden.

The rhythm of the structure is interrupted by occasional

non-sequiturs that strike subtle discordant notes into the

form without dispelling its unifying harmony.

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With the structure naturally leaning toward and overhanging the water, it was a simple leap of design to add a sculptural pedestrian bridge.

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The facility incorporates a large walk

through Gallery Shop that leads directly

to the Great Hall. This large gallery also

houses two smaller Alcoves that serve as

adjunct spaces or meeting rooms. The Great

Hall also provides a direct connection to

the Canal. Vertical access to the Upper

Gallery is provided by fl anking exterior

stairways and an elevator.

GALLERY LEVEL PLAN

GENERAL SITE VICINITY

EXISTINGAUSTRALIAN PAVILION

EXISTINGPAVILION TO BE

RELOCATED

FRANCE

ALCOVE 1

25m2

STORAGE

22 m2

NEW AUSTRALIAN PAVILION

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ELEV

ENTRY SHOP & BOOKSTORE

75m2

OFFICES

32m2

ALCOVE 2

25m2

MAIN GALLERY330 m2

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A large open-air gallery space is housed on

the roo! op. It is covered by the sculptural

lightweight roof and features an artful

pedestrian bridge that links the facility to the

opposite side of the Canal. This upper level

also hosts a seasonal café & coff ee shop and

also can serve as a partially enclosed facility

for private parties, fund-raisers or other

gatherings. It off ers a glorious view of the

small vessels that traverse along the Rio del

Giardini.

TREETOP GALLERY PLAN

RESTROOM

Pedestrian Bridge Connection

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ROOFTOP GALLERY270 m2

ELEV

STORAGE &

CATERING

KITCHEN

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BRIEF FOR THE PROPOSED NEW

AUSTRALIAN PAVILION SITE

Assume reusing the existing site of the Australian

Pavilion in the Giardini, or as an option, entrants may

choose to select a completely different site in Venice.

BRIEFA pavilion for the exhibition and presentation of

Australia’s contributions to the Venice Arts Biennale

(52nd held 2007), and Venice Architects Biennale

(10th held 2006). Exhibitions may be static, mobile,

theatre, visual, sound/music, 3D constructions and

video.

SPACE ANALYSISAssume total 500 square metres fl oor area:

Entry and books – 10 sqM.Main hall – 400 sqM.

Meeting room/s + second gallery – 30 sqM.

Offi ces + staff facilities – 30 sqM.

Storage, plant, back-of-house – 30 sqM.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTSThe date of submission is Tuesday 22 April 2008

by 5pm. No entries submitted after this time will be

accepted.

DI STASIO COMPETITION

C/O 147 Chapel Street

St Kilda VIC 3182, Australia

VENICEVenice has a dual nature. Water and buildings. The

large open piazzas and tight-winding calle. The city

with a wafer-thin façade behind which lurks death and

decay. The hard stone streets and the lush private

gardens. A glimpse through a half open door reveals a

private world. The pedestrian nature of the city forces

you to physically interact with it, every single step of

your journey. The architecture provides a backdrop to

Venetian life and this is captured in cinema ranging

from Iain Softley’s adaptation of Henry James’s novel

“Wing’s of the Dove”, Lucino Visconti’s adaptation

of Thomas Mann’s “Death in Venice” to action

and adventure such as Indiana Jones, Lara Croft

and James Bond. For centuries the city has been

congested with tourists all seeking this mythical

“Venice” during summer, and an empty theatre in

winter. It was the decadent playground of Europe,

which inspired artists, musicians, writers, architects

and romantics.

VENICE BIENNALE

The Biennale is one of the world’s most prestigious

cultural events. It was fi rst held in 1895 and now

incorporates art, architecture, cinema, dance, music

and theatre. The main locations are the Giardini

and the Arsenale. AUSTRALIA AT THE VENICE

BIENNALE

Australia has been involved with the Art Bienalle since

1954, and with the Architecture Biennale since 2000.

Aaron Betsky is the curator of the upcoming biennale

“Out There. Architecture Beyond Building”.

The team curating the Australian exhibition are Kerstin

Thompson, Wendy Lewin, Neil Durbach, Vince Frost

and Gary Warner.

THE CURRENT AUSTRALIAN PAVILION

The current Australian Pavilion was designed by

Sydney architect Philip Cox and opened in 1988.

There was pressure at the time to build quickly or

lose the opportunity to the last position available in

the Giardini della Biennale. It was prefabricated, and

within a month of the planning permit being issued it

was open for the Arthur Boyd exhibition. The pavilion

was always viewed as temporary. It has long been

criticised as being a very diffi cult space to curate.

ARCHITECTURAL

COMPETITION

JOURNAL

The Venice Biennale concept and allpresentation materials are the creation of

California Architect Steven Alden

steve@studiomail.usSaldenStudio.com