UA’s Fay Jones School, Crystal Bridges Museum, and DesignConnects to Represent U.S. at Venice Architecture Biennale
The Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design at the University of Arkansas, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, and independent consultancy DesignConnects have been chosen to represent the United States at the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale. The collaborative effort will showcase the American porch as a symbol of generosity and hospitality, delving into its social and environmental significance within the architectural representation of the U.S.
The Pavilion and Its Curators
Co-commissioned by Peter MacKeith, Susan Chin, and Rod Bigelow, the exhibition is titled “PORCH: An Architecture of Generosity.” This multidisciplinary team includes notable curators Marlon Blackwell, Stephen Burks, Julie Bargmann, and Maura Rockcastle. Blackwell, an AIA Gold Medalist, will join Burks and the landscape architects Bargmann and Rockcastle to create a temporary porch structure outside the pavilion, which will host a variety of events.
The Temporary Porch Structure
The temporary structure will serve as a nucleus for programming, including musical performances, farm-to-table meals, craft demonstrations, and educational activities. This dynamic showcase will emphasize the porch’s role in American civic life, highlighting its significance beyond its association with the American South.
The Exhibition Inside the Pavilion
The interior of the pavilion will feature 50 curated projects exemplifying the continued importance of the porch typology in American society. These projects will be selected through a call for entries to be launched in the fall.
The Event
The 19th International Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia, curated by Carlo Ratti, will run from May 10 to November 23, 2025. The event will provide a platform for international cultural exchange, fostering discussions around the cutting-edge topics in architecture.
