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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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[Added on 22 June 2026]

15. We are not a registered architectural firm in Singapore. Are we eligible to put forward a proposal on behalf of the firm?

We are seeking a curatorial team with a lead application that fulfils the stated criteria (Singapore-based, good understanding pf the local architectural landscape etc). If the lead applicant meets the criteria (and is from a non-registered firm), the submission by said applicant and team members would still be considered as an eligible entry.

16. Can the proposed costing be revised should the project be shortlisted or awarded?

Teams are advised to adhere to the provided budget. Requests for additional fees will be subject to review.

17. Are we required to submit a cost estimate as part of the proposal? 

Yes. Teams are encouraged to provide their best effort estimate even where experience or Singapore-specific references are limited.

18. Are technical drawings required as part of the submission?

No, technical drawings can be developed upon award. Submission for the open call would be concept stage documents.

19. Regarding the proposed methods of inquiry and investigation, should these be developed and submitted together with the proposal, or will they only be required upon shortlisting or award of the project?

If already available, teams may submit with the proposal. Otherwise, development of the proposal (design, theme, inquiry etc) can be conducted before stage 2 presentation for shortlisted proposals.

20. How many teams will be shortlisted for the next stage?

The shortlisting will be merit-based. The Committee will deliberate and shortlist proposals that are clear, innovative, feasible, and responsive to the theme. Shortlisted teams will be notified sometime in the week of the 20 July, to present their proposals on 30 July.

21. With regard to the Development Support grant of $2,000: If additional costs are incurred beyond the support amount, will these need to be borne by the participating team?

Each shortlisted team will be reimbursed the development support of $2,000 only, which is for teams to develop their concept proposal towards the stage 2 presentation.

22. May we get a copy of the briefing slides if I did not manage to attend?.

Please submit your declaration of non-disclosure here, then write in to notify Jeffrey_ANG@ura.gov.sg for the request.

23. Must there be one single lead curator? Or can there be co-curators that lead the team? 

There can be co-curators for the pavilion, but there should be a lead curator for the team.

24. Is it expected to confirm all potential contributors (e.g. commissioning art work or installations) for the Stage 1 Submission? 

No, it is not required at stage 1. Depending on your proposal, this may be developed at Stage 2, if required.

25. Could you share a CAD plan or 3D of the space?

You may download the skp file here for your submission-related purposes only (please note that there may be minor discrepancies within). Kindly do not circulate outside of your team, or to any unauthorised third parties without prior written consent from URA.

26. What is the Curator’s scope for homecoming exhibition?

The curatorial team is expected to work on fitting the Venice exhibition, back at the Homecoming venue (tbc) in Singapore.

27. Is stage 1 of the judging anonymous? Will track record be important?

Judging is not anonymous. Refer to answer for Q5 for relevance of curatorial experience.

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[Added on 30 June 2026]

28. Will the installation be fabricated in Singapore or Venice? Will the fabrication and installation be carried out by contractors appointed by SAM? 

The requirements for fabrication approach would vary depending on the winning proposal – works may have to be fabricated entirely in Singapore and shipped to Venice for assembly, partially fabricated in Singapore with components completed in Europe/Venice, or even fabricated and installed entirely on-site in Venice.

As a general rule, the appointed Curator and team are responsible for works carried out in Singapore, including the fabrication and appointment of contractors, collaborators and specialists for production of exhibition components in Singapore. SAM would support on-site installation in Venice, including appointment of contractors for build works, procurement of build materials, equipment rental (including AV equipment, if applicable), freight of works produced in Singapore, etc. As Organiser, SAM would also be able to advise on specialist hires in Singapore and Venice, as needed.

29. Can the installation extend beyond the boundary of the pavilion i.e. corridor, windows etc? 

We are not allowed to do so by the Biennale. Please keep design of the proposal within the extents of the Singapore Pavilion.

30. Does the materials of the installation need to be fire rated, if so what fire rating are we looking at?

Yes, there are requirements for fire rating from the Biennale. Based on the awarded design and layout, the details would be subsequently worked out with the Venetian contractor and cleared with the Biennale.

31. There appears to be some discrepancies in relation to dimensions and geometry between the pdf drawing and the 3D file. Please confirm to base our proposal on which set of information.

The pdf drawings are provided by the Biennale office and should be taken as best reference for the proposal submission stage. The SketchUp file is for ease of visualisation only.

32. For interactive components in the exhibition design, what are the safety, accessibility, or operational requirements applicants should take into account at Stage 1?

The exhibition should consider for accessibility to all visitors. In terms of safety, you may take initial reference from principles based on Singapore’s codes and practices. The Biennale will review said requirements during the technical submissions in January 2027.

33. Beyond the stated prohibition on mounting to the heritage walls, are floor fixings, ceiling suspensions, or other methods for stabilising freestanding exhibition structures permissible?

Floor fixings are not allowed (i.e. cannot drill into the floor). Free-standing systems are allowed but to note that the floor loading of the pavilion is 500kg/sqm (refer to to Annex drawing). Ceiling loading is at ~200kg per point and there is further limitation of a maximum loading capacity across each beam (this is unavailable at the moment, but can be enquired from the Biennale after award).

34. Can we cover over the ventilation grills on the floor?

No. Furthermore, electricity provision for the pavilion is routed only via the ventilation grilles/trenches located along both long sides of the pavilion (i.e. there is no power provision from the ceiling).

35. Will the Singapore Pavilion be staffed by docents or guides continuously throughout public opening hours, or should exhibition proposals assume self-guided operation?

Docents will be employed for the full opening duration of the exhibition.

36. Can we submit physical models?

No, physical models will not be accepted for submission. If the team plans to/has constructed one, you may include high-resolution photographs, diagrams and/or video links capturing the model within your submission. If shortlisted, physical models can be showcased by the team during the presentation.

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