Project

Building Biospheres  - Biennale Architettura 2025

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

Building Biospheres  - Biennale Architettura 2025

Bas Smets about Building Biospheres

Promising architects on Building Biospheres

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:

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

Call and shortlist Belgian pavilion at Biennale Architettura 2025

In spring 2024, the Flanders Architecture Institute (VAi) invited architects, urban planners, designers, researchers, critics and artists to develop an exhibition concept for the Belgian pavilion at the Biennale Architettura 2025 in Venice. The jury decided which three teams could further develop their proposal for the exhibition in the Belgian pavilion at the Biennale Architettura 2025.

Practical


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, Catec