An Eco-centric Architecture: The Denmark Pavilion at the Venice Biennale of Architecture

The Danish Pavilion. Photo credit: Rasmus Hjortshoj.

I recently spoke with Josephine Michau, a co-founder and director of the Copenhagen Architecture Festival and this year’s curator of the Denmark Pavilion at the Venice Biennale of Architecture. As the threat of climate change becomes more evident, the Denmark Pavilion at the Venice Biennale of Architecture focuses on the threat of rising sea levels through the exhibition "Coastal Imaginaries." The exhibition challenges traditional architectural practices and explores how prioritizing coastal species and working with site-specific dynamics can lead to sustainable practices in architecture. Through interdisciplinary collaboration and the use of unconventional mediums like dioramas and soundscapes, the pavilion presents a compelling case for addressing climate change through creative and responsible architecture. The premise of "Coastal Imaginaries" is a powerful response to the biennale's theme of "Laboratory of the Future." By exploring climate change as an existential threat, the Danish Pavilion serves as a laboratory for tackling this pressing issue within the world of architecture. It calls for interdisciplinary collaboration, bringing together artists, architects, craft people, researchers, and practitioners from various fields to address global challenges holistically. 

…as sea levels continue to rise, it is becoming increasingly important to prioritize the current existence of coastal species and to work with the site-specific biological, hydrological and geological dynamics of the coastal environment will require new practices… - Josephine Michau 

From a Mermaid’s Perspective 

Hans Christian Anderson's The Little Mermaid often plays a central role in how Denmark presents itself on an international stage. In 2010, for example, Edvard Eriksen’s iconic little mermaid sculpture was transported from Copengangen to Shanghai to be featured in BIG’s design for the Danish pavilion at the World Expo. In Venice, Costal Imagineries is presented through the perspective of the mermaid. Josephine explains that throughout history, mermaids have been associated with floods and storms and shipwrecks, but have also been linked to questions of fertility, loss and wealth. She added that this perspective would present an eco-centric view on rising sea levels.

“The whole exhibition is working with that idea of going back in history to actually move forward.” - Josephine Michau 

Projecting Future Scenarios 

The Danish Pavilion's innovative use of dioramas as a medium for architectural representation is both experimental and unconventional. Traditionally used to depict historical scenes, the pavilion defies convention by employing dioramas to project future scenarios, focusing on the relationship between humanity and nature amidst rising sea levels. By presenting a sensoric experience of a future coastal landscape, visitors are emotionally engaged, prompting potential climate action. The incorporation of soundscapes enhances the sensoric experience within the pavilion. The soundscapes, along with light and visuals, choreograph a theater play that emotionally engages visitors and encourages them to take climate action. The exhibition aims to shift visitors' perspectives by inspiring them to contemplate their relationship with nature and the importance of addressing climate change collectively. The pavilion's design and features focus on sustainable practices and minimizing carbon footprint. By reusing materials from previous exhibitions, the pavilion reduces waste and highlights the significance of sustainable design in a world facing climate emergencies. 

“We're using Copenhagen as a case study. But we're actually showcasing tactics from all over all over the world on how they have been working with the challenges of rising sea levels and living with the water.” - Josephine Michau 

The pavilion draws inspiration from Denmark’s history and vernacular architecture, where 8,000 kilometers of coastline are deeply ingrained in their heritage. The pavilion's diorama represents a future coastal landscape, presenting a captivating fusion of history and futurism. The pavilion showcases several projects from around the world that address climate adaptation. Josephine points to the focus on Copenhagen as a case study; the exhibition presents a speculative project, "Copenhagen Islands," that implements nature-based design principles to mitigate sea-level rise. The pavilion emphasizes that solutions must be site-specific, tailored to the unique challenges faced by each location. By presenting these examples, the exhibition fosters a dialogue on how to approach climate change through architectural design. 

The integration of different disciplines and methodologies becomes vital in addressing the complex and interconnected challenges posed by climate change. By bringing together artists, architects, craft people, practitioners, and researchers from diverse fields, the pavilion explores climate-related questions from multiple perspectives. Through this collaboration, new knowledge and ideas emerge, paving the way for innovative solutions to climate-related issues. With a bold and ambitious vision, "Coastal Imaginaries" aspires to influence the future of architecture and design in the face of climate change. The pavilion's aim is not just to inform and inspire visitors but also to spark a global conversation and action. By engaging visitors emotionally and intellectually, the exhibition hopes to ignite a collective determination to tackle the urgent issues of climate change. As dialogues emerge and awareness spreads, the pavilion seeks to be a catalyst for transformative change in the world of architecture and beyond. "Coastal Imaginaries" is on view at the Denmark Pavilion as part of the Biennale of Architecture in Venice until November 26, 2023.

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This article is based on an episode of 'Talking Architecture,' a podcast on architecture, buildings, and the stories they tell. You can listen to the full episode in the player below.

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