thoughts from matter: austrian pavilion at the venice biennale 2018

the austrian pavilion’s contribution to the 2018 venice architecture biennale — ‘thoughts form matter’ — is a plea for the power of architecture as an intellectual analysis of the world and for the freedom to design spaces that are not subject to functional and economic constraints. LAAC, henke schreieck and sagmeister & walsh are creating a conceptually and materially complex spatial installation which draws together inside and outside, vertical and horizontal, the historic pavilion and the language of contemporary architecture and design.

image by martin maschkilnig | all images courtesy of austrian pavilion 2018

thoughts form matter gives rise to spatial metaphors — concepts such as ‘deviation’, ‘atmosphere’ and ‘beauty’ become tangible in the three-part, converging spatial installation. the three teams interpret the general subject of the biennale architettura 2018 ‘freespace’ as both a spatial and a spiritual construct, as a complex dynamic system and as a versatile realm which is shaped by coexistence.

image by martin maschkilnig

‘designers need theories, concepts, a formulated approach in order to be able to critically reflect upon the political, social and cultural implications of their own actions,’ say the curators of the biennale di venezia. ‘LAAC, henke schreieck and sagmeister & walsh describe their work as an abstract thought-process that seeks a concrete form in which aesthetic, function and construction are in equilibrium. the basis of this is always an analysis of the task in its widest social context and of the production conditions which are equally part of this cultural setting.’

    
image by martin maschkilnig

image by martin maschkilnig

image by sagmeister & walsh

image by martin maschkilnig

image by henke schreiek

image by henke schreiek

image by martin maschkilnig

image by martin maschkilnig

image by martin maschkilnig

 
image by martin maschkilnig

designboom’s coverage of the 2018 venice architecture biennale is in partnership with leading energy company edison. edison is taking part in the 16th international architecture exhibition of la biennale di venezia by initiating a path towards sustainability and the efficient use of resources. the collaboration between edison and la biennale is based on awareness that energy is one of the fundamental elements of architecture and of the places, spaces and cities of contemporary life.