From 10 May to 23 November the 19th edition of the Biennale Architettura runs in Venice. The Flanders Architecture Institute is commissioner of Building Biospheres, the Belgian contribution. The exhibition, curated by Bureau Bas Smets and Stefano Mancuso, investigates how the natural intelligence of plants can be used to produce an indoor climate. During six months, the pavilion will serve as a prototype for this innovative research.
How will architecture evolve with an influence of plant intelligence? With their exhibition concept Building Biospheres, landscape architect Bas Smets and climate scientist biologist Stefano Mancuso explore a new relationship between nature and architecture. Building Biospheres proposes to think of buildings as artificial microclimates in which plants play a crucial role in purifying air and cooling space. Using the latest insights into plant intelligence, the project aims to make urban environments more liveable and sustainable. The Belgian pavilion at the 2025 Biennale will serve as a laboratory to explore and demonstrate these ideas.
Supporting team:
Four young design teams are developing new architecture, with natural intelligence in the leading role. They are investigating the spatial impact of the prototype that curators Bas Smets and Stefano Mancuso are presenting in the Belgian pavilion. The designers will work intensively with the curators over the coming months, coordinated by Lisa De Visscher (freelance architectural consultant) and Petrus Kemme (Flanders Architecture Institute). The design teams are:
The exhibition Building Biospheres is accompanied by the catalogue of the same name, edited by Bas Smets, Bart Decroos and Dennis Pohl. With contributions by Stefano Mancuso, Bart Decroos, Véronique Patteeuw, Kathelin Gray, Lydia Kallipoliti, Emanuele Coccia, Kathy Steppe & Dirk De Pauw, Erik De Waele, Lisa De Visscher & Petrus Kemme, Bas Smets, Dennis Pohl.
Available from 11 May 2025.
pre order now10.05.2025 – 23.11.2025
Belgian pavilion, Giardini della Biennale
Sestiere Castello
Venetië
Italië
On the initiative and with the support of the Government of Flanders and Caroline Gennez, Flemish Minister for Welfare and Poverty Reduction, Culture, and Equal Opportunities
Commissioner Flanders Architecture Institute, Dennis Pohl
Curators Bas Smets in collaboration with Stefano Mancuso
Participants Bureau Bas Smets: Bas Smets, Eva De Meersman, Luka Cockx / University of Ghent: Kathy Steppe / Plant AnalytiX: Dirk De Pauw
Editors catalogue Bas Smets, Bart Decroos and Dennis Pohl
Scenography Bureau Bas Smets
In collaboration with Elmès / Maud Gerard Goossens and Henri Uijtterhaegen / Panta / Lisa Mandelartz Schenk and Steven Schenk
Architectural advisor: Lisa De Visscher
Coordination: Petrus Kemme
Produced and supported by Flanders Architecture Institute and the Government of Flanders
With the additional support of Ghent University
Main partner Reynaers Aluminium
Partners Luma Foundation, Arbor, JCX, the Merode, SETP, Leiedal, Vande Moortel, Van Den Weghe, Meter, Rayn Growing Systems, Vaisala, Cate
Early May the 19th edition of the Biennale Architettura kicks-off in Venice. The Flanders Architecture Institute is commissioner of Building Biospheres, the Belgian contribution. The exhibition, curated by Bureau Bas Smets and Stefano Mancuso, investigates the impact of plant intelligence on architecture.
10.05.2025 > 23.11.2025
