Wang Shu and Lu Wenyu have announced the theme and title for the 2027 Venice Architecture Biennale: "Do Architecture – For the Possibility of Coexistence Facing a Real Reality." The curators posed a series of questions addressing global climate change, the coexistence of land and architecture, natural materials versus modern construction, and urban-rural development conflicts. They emphasized that architecture is not just theoretical but must be practiced firsthand, confronting real reality through real construction. The duo, founders of Amateur Architecture Studio, have a long history with the Biennale, having participated in 2006 and 2010, where they received a Special Mention for their project 'Decay of a Dome.' The twentieth edition of the Architecture Biennale opens in May 2027.
This announcement matters because it sets the intellectual and thematic direction for one of the world's most influential architecture exhibitions, which shapes discourse on sustainable design, urbanism, and craftsmanship. Wang Shu and Lu Wenyu's focus on coexistence, vernacular traditions, and real-world practice challenges the Biennale's reputation for speculative theory, potentially steering the conversation toward actionable, material-based solutions to pressing global issues like climate change and rapid urbanization. Their selection as curators also highlights the growing recognition of Chinese architectural perspectives on the international stage.