"Repair", the concept brings together a transdisciplinary team of architects, artists, landscape architects and ecologists as a response to the need for architecture to encourage new ways of thinking. Explicitly addressing the Biennale Architettura curators Farrell and McNamara’s theme of Freespace, repair responds by encouraging new ways of thinking and seeing the world, ‘of inventing solutions where architecture provides for the wellbeing and dignity of each citizen on this fragile planet’. It also aims to showcase Australian architecture that engages with the repair of our natural environment.
According to the AIA, "visitors will enter a physical dialogue between architecture and endangered plant community, reminding us what is at stake when we occupy land."
‘We want to provoke and stimulate this discussion and position Australian architects at the cusp of international architectural consciousness around issues of repair.’
Baracco+Wright is a Melbourne-based architectural practice, founded by Louise Wright and Mauro Baracco. Collaborating with artist Linda Tegg and with architect Paul Memmott, landscape architect Chris Sawyer, landscape architect and urban designer Tim O’Loan and curatorial advisor Catherine Murphy to inform, refine and complement their skills*, the winning concept aims to showcase Australian architecture that engages with the repair of our natural environment.
The 16th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia will run from 26 May to 25 November 2018 in Venice. For more information on Australia’s participation in the 2018 Venice Biennale visit architecture.com.au/venicebiennale.
*The broader team supporting the Creative Directors includes ecologist David Freudenberger, Senior Lecturer in the Fenner School of Environment and Society at the Australian National University, architect Lance van Maanen and graduate of architecture Jonathan Ware. Mauro Baracco is an Associate Professor at the School of Architecture and Design of RMIT University Melbourne; Linda Tegg is the Artist in Residence in the School of Geography at The University of Melbourne and a Lecturer in Creative Practice in the Faculty of Arts and Education at Deakin University; Professor Paul Memmott is a trans-disciplinary researcher (architect/anthropologist) and the Director of the Aboriginal Environments Research Centre (AERC) and the Indigenous Design Place Initiative at the University of Queensland where he is affiliated with the School of Architecture and the Institute of Social Science Research; Chris Sawyer is a co-director of Site Office with Susie Kumar and an Adjunct Professor at RMIT University; Tim O’Loan is a director at Aecom; Catherine Murphy is a Senior Research Consultant in the Department of Architecture at Monash University.
