20TH INTERNATIONAL ARCHITECTURE EXHIBITION,
LA BIENNALE DI VENEZIA
The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and DesignSingapore Council (DSg), as Co-Commissioners of the Singapore Pavilion, invite compelling and innovative curatorial proposals for Singapore’s pavilion at the 20th International Architecture Exhibition at La Biennale di Venezia, running from 8 May to 21 November 2027.
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ABOUT THE PAVILION
This will mark Singapore’s tenth participation in the Venice Architecture Biennale since 2004.
Providing a unique platform for architectural inquiry, it is an opportunity to introduce our nation’s experience with rapid transformation, innovative approaches to tropical urbanism, and integration of heritage with development, offering rich material for investigating fundamental questions about architecture’s role in society.
The Singapore Pavilion is located in the Sale D’ Armi A building (upper level) of the Arsenale exhibition grounds in Venice, Italy.
The Arsenale’s industrial heritage and monumental scale offer unique spatial opportunities for architectural installations. Applicants should consider how their curatorial concepts can engage with and respond to this distinctive architectural context.
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WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
We seek impactful proposals that present a clear compelling idea that can be explored in depth and developed into a thought-provoking and exploratory exhibition – one that serves as an architectural inquiry and challenges conventional thinking, transcending a conventional showcase of works.
Under the curatorial direction of Wang Shu and Lu Wenyu, the 2027 Biennale will focus on grounded architectural approaches centred on materiality, local participation, craftsmanship, and lived experiences. While responding to the Biennale’s curatorial direction, your proposal should demonstrate how Singapore’s unique approach to adaptive reuse, vernacular modernism, and contextual design contributes to global architectural discourse through deep investigation and critical examination.
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ELIGIBILITY
The lead applicant (Curator) shall be Singapore-based with good understanding of, and strong connection to, the Singapore architectural landscape. Multi-disciplinary team compositions are encouraged: team members may include, but are not limited to, architects, artists, curators, urban planners, designers, researchers, educators and relevant practitioners.
Teams should demonstrate experience in exhibition development, curation, architectural research, and/or critical practice. Experience in conceptual exhibitions, architectural inquiry, and/or thought-provoking installations is preferred. Applicants without direct curatorial experience are welcome to apply but must clearly outline their approach to addressing curatorial aspects of the project, whether through collaboration with experienced curators, partnership arrangements, or other strategic approaches.
Proposals will be evaluated based on their conceptual strength, investigative approach and impact, as well as on the feasibility of implementation.
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BUDGET & SUPPORT
The selected curatorial team will receive fee disbursements based on completion milestones as set out in the Open Call documents.
As the Organiser, Singapore Art Museum (SAM) will manage the financial administration (fee disbursement, logistics coordination, shipping arrangements, operational costs etc). Please register for the briefing as further details will be shared.
Upon award, the curatorial team shall work closely with SAM to ensure economic feasibility of their proposal.
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TIMELINE, REGISTRATION & SUBMISSION
Stage 1
22 May 2026: Launch of Open Call for Proposals
16 June 2026: Briefing to registered applicants
17 July 2026, by 4pm: Deadline for Submission
31 July 2026: Presentation by shortlisted teams
Stage 2
August: Development period (shortlisted teams)
28 August 2026: Final Presentation to Evaluation Committee
Implementation Stage
September 2026: Commencement of project
8 May 2027: Official opening of the 2027 Biennale
1H 2028: Return show in Singapore
* The timeline is indicative and subject to change.
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Register at https://go.gov.sg/2027-sg-pavilion-vb-registration, to be informed of the briefing, and download the Open Call documents.
Submit at https://go.gov.sg/2027-sg-pavilion-venicebiennale
Refer to FAQ within Circular dated 22 May 2026 at https://www.ura.gov.sg/Corporate/Guidelines/Circulars/dc26-05
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Frequently Asked Questions:
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1. What is the Venice Architecture Biennale and why is it significant?
The Venice Biennale International Architecture Exhibition, established in 1980, is the world’s oldest and most prestigious architecture exhibition. It serves as a global platform for architectural discourse, attracting leaders in architecture, planning, and real estate industries. The 2025 edition received 298,000 visitors, marking a 5% increase over 2023.
2. How many times have Singapore participated in the Venice Architecture Biennale?
Singapore has participated nine times since 2004. The 2027 edition will mark our tenth participation, demonstrating Singapore’s sustained commitment to global architectural dialogue.
3. What is the curatorial direction for the 2027 Venice Architecture Biennale?
The 2027 Biennale is curated by Wang Shu and Lu Wenyu, who are expected to focus on grounded architectural approaches centred on materiality, local participation, craftsmanship, and lived experiences. For more information, please visit https://www.labiennale.org/en/news/wang-shu-and-lu-wenyu-curators-biennale-architettura-2027.
4. Can I apply as an individual or do I need a team?
Considering the transdisciplinary nature of the Biennale platform, multi-disciplinary team compositions are encouraged: team members may include, but are not limited to, architects, artists, curators, urban planners, designers, researchers, educators and relevant practitioners.
5. I don’t have direct curatorial experience. Can I still apply?
Applicants without direct curatorial experience are welcome but must clearly outline their approach to addressing curatorial aspects of the project, whether through collaboration with experienced curators, partnership arrangements, or other strategic approaches.
6. What qualifies as “good understanding of the Singapore architectural landscape”?
This could include professional practice such as architectural and design work, academic research, and/or significant engagement with Singapore’s built environment, architectural community, and/or urban development processes.
7. What exactly are you looking for in a proposal?
The proposal should explore fundamental architectural questions using Singapore as a laboratory, demonstrating authentic architectural practice through critical examination.
8. Can I propose to showcase Singapore’s architectural achievements?
The Venice Architecture Biennale seeks to spotlight architectural innovation and drive forward-thinking discourse. To align with this spirit of global enquiry, your proposal must transcend a conventional showcase. We explicitly do not seek ‘trade-show’ formats that catalogue built projects, nor are we looking for promotional displays celebrating our local architectural achievements. Rather, we are looking for thought-provoking investigations that leverage our local context as a compelling case study to interrogate broader architectural questions.
9. Is the sponsorship and partnership section mandatory?
No, it’s not mandatory, but identifying potential sponsors or partners demonstrates the broader appeal and feasibility of your concept and helps the Co-Commissioners understand the potential and resource requirements of your proposal.
10. What happens after Stage 1 submissions?
Shortlisted teams will be notified and will receive S$2,000 development support to prepare detailed investigation plans for Stage 2 presentation.
11. What formal agreements will I need to sign?
The selected team will enter into a formal agreement with Organiser, SAM based on the scope of work listed in the Open Call document.
12. What is covered by the exhibition construction budget?
The budget covers physical production, materials, fabrication, and installation by local (Venetian) contractors. This is for costing purposes to aid applicants in assessing the economic feasibility of proposals.
13. What support will I receive for exhibition implementation?
As the Organiser, SAM will provide comprehensive support including administrative coordination, shipping arrangements, customs clearance, exhibition setup and teardown, liaison with La Biennale technical teams, and on-site support throughout the exhibition period.
14. Will there be a return exhibition in Singapore?
Yes, a return exhibition in Singapore is planned, subject to funding and confirmation. The winning proposal shall be designed for ease of transportation back to Singapore and the curatorial team should be involved in the return setup with minimal adaptation for a venue in Singapore.
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Please refer back here for updated post on answers to more FAQ, during the Open Call period.
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