Dedicated presence for Scotland at 2008 Venice Architecture Biennale

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Scotland is to have a dedicated presence at the 2008 Venice Architecture Biennale it was announced today, 20 March 2008. Organised by The Lighthouse, Scotland’s national Architecture and Design Centre, the presence will take the form of a specially designed “Gathering Space”, created by a Scottish-based architects practice, in which leading voices from architecture and design in Scotland will come together with internationally renowned figures for a programme of events, discussions and debates, including an debate, in association with the British Pavilion, looking at housing. The Gathering Space will be a temporary installation located in one of the many busy piazzas in central Venice.

Announcing the news Nick Barley, Director of The Lighthouse, said

“The Venice Biennale brings together the finest architectural minds in the world. It is an event where countries, large and small, show the world the quality and sophistication of their architects, architecture and ideas. For the Scottish presence this year we have decided to take a novel approach in line with the theme of the Biennale - Architecture Beyond Building. The Gathering Space, aims to harness the buzz of the and boundless energy of the Biennale with a lively programme of events bringing together Scottish and international voices to stimulate debate, exchange ideas and address the key architectural issues facing the world today.”

The Scottish Government has awarded a grant of £75,000 towards The Gathering Space as part of a programme of initiatives aimed at showcasing contemporary Scotland in an international context:

Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture Linda Fabiani said:

“The Venice Biennale is the most important architecture event in the world and the Scottish Government is delighted to support The Gathering Space. This will truly highlight Scottish design excellence.  Scotland’s built heritage is so rich, and the high quality of some of our newer architectural design so impressive.  The Gathering Space will be a hive of activity during the Venice Biennale, showcasing Scotland as a place of creativity, imagination and innovation.”

The 11th Venice Architecture Biennale is directed by Aaron Betsky, formerly Director of the acclaimed Netherlands Architecture Institute. Introducing the theme of this year’s event - Out There. Architecture Beyond Building – he says:

“Out There. Architecture Beyond Building points out what should be an obvious fact: architecture is not building. Buildings are objects and the act of building leads to such objects, but architecture is something else. The way we think and talk about buildings, how we represent them, how we build them - this is architecture. . More generally, architecture is a way of representing, shaping and perhaps even offering critical alternatives to the human-made environment.”

A competition has been launched for a Scottish-based practice to design the Gathering Space. Judging will take place towards the end of April 2008.

Media Partner for The Gathering Space will be BD, one of the UK’s leading architectural publications.

Further details of the programme for the Gathering Place will be announced later in the year.