For the constuction of Building Biospheres, the curators collaborate with researchers from the Faculty of Bioengineering at Ghent University. The VAi, together with Bas Smets, visited the prototype in one of the university's greenhouses. It was the perfect occasion for an interview about this ambitious project.

“Climate change and the recent crises that we are facing, are forcing us to rethink the relationship between architecture and nature.”
- Bas Smets, curator Building Biospheres

On the first day of the architecture biennale in Venice, the Flanders Architecture Institute (VAi) presents the Building Biospheres catalogue and a cross section of architecture publications from its home region and close neighbours. Throughout the day, VAi and partner institutions will present their recent titles in front of the Belgian Pavilion in the Giardini. Together they provide a glimpse into a rich architectural publishing culture, from a small but vivid corner of Europe.

In summer 2024, the curators of the Belgian pavilion and the Flanders Architecture Institute (VAi) organised a closed call. 25 promising designers were asked to submit their ideas on architecture of natural intelligence. A selection of 4 teams emerged to shape their concept in a series of workshops under the artistic direction of Lisa De Visscher (Uliège) and coordinated by Petrus Kemme (VAi). The result will be part of the Building Biospheres exhibition from early May 2025. The participating teams are:

Elmēs
Maud Gerard Goossens and Henri Uijtterhaegen
Panta
Lisa Mandelartz Schenk and Steven Schenk

Next to the offices contributing to the Building Biospheres exhibition in the Belgian pavilion, there are several other Belgian designers and researchers presenting an architectural installation at the Biennale Architettura 2025.