11 Must-See Exhibitions at the 2018 Venice Biennale

As always, this year’s edition of the Venice Architecture Biennale is brimming with exhibitions and installations—the result of thousands upon thousands of hours of research and work. When arriving at the Arsenale or Giardini, the overwhelming amount of "things to see" are neatly tucked into the national pavilions, or, in the case of the Arsenale, hidden on the sides of the sweeping corridor. In the likely event that you have limited time to enjoy all that FREESPACE has to offer, ArchDaily's editors have selected our favorite works displayed at the 16th International Architecture Exhibition.

Here, presented in no particular order, are some of our top suggestions from across the Biennale sites.

La Yedra House / ismo [ arquitectura y diseño ]

La Yedra House / ismo [ arquitectura y diseño ] - HousesLa Yedra House / ismo [ arquitectura y diseño ] - HousesLa Yedra House / ismo [ arquitectura y diseño ] - HousesLa Yedra House / ismo [ arquitectura y diseño ] - HousesLa Yedra House / ismo [ arquitectura y diseño ] - More Images+ 12

Benalmádena, Spain
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  350
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2018
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  Acor, Baupanel System, Cortizo, Mapei, Porcelanosa Grupo

Bent, Not Broken: The Natural Process of Shaping Fantastic Wooden Forms

Even as technology advances—leaving many of the old ways of building obsolete—certain traditional crafts and building techniques continue to captivate our imaginations with their simple ingenuity and unimpeachable effectiveness. Although used for millennia, the process of temporarily turning rigid members of wood into pliable, twistable, bendable noodles of lumber remains a favorite woodworker’s trick, capable of producing whimsical transformations and otherworldly forms from the most natural of materials.

Bent, Not Broken: The Natural Process of Shaping Fantastic Wooden Forms - Image 1 of 4Bent, Not Broken: The Natural Process of Shaping Fantastic Wooden Forms - Image 9 of 4Bent, Not Broken: The Natural Process of Shaping Fantastic Wooden Forms - Image 16 of 4Bent, Not Broken: The Natural Process of Shaping Fantastic Wooden Forms - Image 21 of 4Bent, Not Broken: The Natural Process of Shaping Fantastic Wooden Forms - More Images+ 22

Winners of 'Reside: Mumbai Mixed Housing' Announced

The winners of arch out loud’s competition Reside - in which entrants were to design a mixed residential development on one of the last remaining sections of undeveloped Mumbai coastline - have been announced. The architectural research initiative challenged entrants to design for “both the indigenous fishing community that has occupied the site for hundreds of years - as well as a new demographic drawn to the affluent neighborhood that now encompasses the site”.

Winners of 'Reside: Mumbai Mixed Housing' Announced - Featured ImageWinners of 'Reside: Mumbai Mixed Housing' Announced - Image 10 of 4Winners of 'Reside: Mumbai Mixed Housing' Announced - Image 24 of 4Winners of 'Reside: Mumbai Mixed Housing' Announced - Image 25 of 4Winners of 'Reside: Mumbai Mixed Housing' Announced - More Images+ 26

Planar House / studio mk27

Planar House / studio mk27 - Houses
© Fernando Guerra | FG+SG

Planar House / studio mk27 - HousesPlanar House / studio mk27 - HousesPlanar House / studio mk27 - HousesPlanar House / studio mk27 - HousesPlanar House / studio mk27 - More Images+ 52

Porto Feliz, Brazil
  • Architects: Diana Radomysler, Lair Reis, Studio MK27 - Marcio Kogan
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  1000
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2018
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  Alfio Lisi, Belas Artes, Expormim, Gervasoni, Jader Almeida, +14

The Heart of the City. Legacy and Complexity of a Modern Design Idea.

The book focuses on both the historical and theoretical reinterpretation of the Heart of the City Idea, which was introduced at CIAM 8 in 1951 and has played an impor¬tant role in architectural and urban debates ever since. It is a comparative history-theory, which traces the social-spatial role and character of transdisciplinary encounters and migrations on the concept of the Heart of the City.
The main aim is to illustrate the continuity and the complexity of this pivotal theme, highlighting a new perspective on the significance of public space in our contemporary urban condition as well.
In an age of

Vatican Chapel / Foster + Partners

Vatican Chapel / Foster + Partners - Chapel, Garden, Beam, Arch, FacadeVatican Chapel / Foster + Partners - Chapel, Garden, ForestVatican Chapel / Foster + Partners - Chapel, GardenVatican Chapel / Foster + Partners - Chapel, Garden, ForestVatican Chapel / Foster + Partners - More Images+ 16

Venice, Italy

TS Apartment / snkh studio

TS Apartment / snkh studio - Apartment Interiors, Handrail, Facade, StairsTS Apartment / snkh studio - Apartment Interiors, Door, Facade, ChairTS Apartment / snkh studio - Apartment Interiors, Beam, Table, ChairTS Apartment / snkh studio - Apartment Interiors, Bedroom, Door, Beam, Table, Lighting, Chair, BedTS Apartment / snkh studio - More Images+ 14

  • Architects: snkh studio
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  110
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2018
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  Grohe, Caparol, DZZZ, Flos, Mapei

Yu Hotel / Shanghai Benzhe Architecture Design

Yu Hotel / Shanghai Benzhe Architecture Design - Renovation, Beam, Chair, TableYu Hotel / Shanghai Benzhe Architecture Design - Renovation, Facade, DoorYu Hotel / Shanghai Benzhe Architecture Design - Renovation, Fence, Beam, Facade, Handrail, DoorYu Hotel / Shanghai Benzhe Architecture Design - Renovation, Door, Beam, Facade, Table, Chair, BenchYu Hotel / Shanghai Benzhe Architecture Design - More Images+ 24

Huangpu, China
  • Architects: Shanghai Ben Zhe Architecture Design
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  678
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2018
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  AXOR, Hansgrohe, FLUA, Fnji, KINGKOIL, +1

Inter Crop Office / Stu/D/O Architects

Inter Crop Office / Stu/D/O Architects - Offices, Garden, FacadeInter Crop Office / Stu/D/O Architects - Offices, Stairs, Facade, Beam, HandrailInter Crop Office / Stu/D/O Architects - Offices, Deck, Beam, Facade, ChairInter Crop Office / Stu/D/O Architects - Offices, Garden, Facade, BalconyInter Crop Office / Stu/D/O Architects - More Images+ 35

Bangkok, Thailand

House A / Alexis Dornier

House A / Alexis Dornier - Houses, Bedroom, TableHouse A / Alexis Dornier - Houses, Garden, Facade, Stairs, Door, Handrail, BalconyHouse A / Alexis Dornier - Houses, Garden, FacadeHouse A / Alexis Dornier - Houses, Bathroom, FacadeHouse A / Alexis Dornier - More Images+ 20

  • Architects: Alexis Dornier
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  750
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2018
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  Sika, Grohe, Acor, Franke, LG Electronics, +2
  • Professionals: Surya Kembar Properti

Courtyard for Yamaguchi Sake Brewery / CASE-REAL

Courtyard for Yamaguchi Sake Brewery / CASE-REAL - BreweryCourtyard for Yamaguchi Sake Brewery / CASE-REAL - BreweryCourtyard for Yamaguchi Sake Brewery / CASE-REAL - Brewery, Facade, Door, Handrail, Stairs, Beam, Column, ArchCourtyard for Yamaguchi Sake Brewery / CASE-REAL - Brewery, Beam, Table, ChairCourtyard for Yamaguchi Sake Brewery / CASE-REAL - More Images+ 15

  • Architects: CASE-REAL: Koichi Futatusmata, Koichi Shimohira(CASE-REAL)
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2017
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  HORI LOCKS, JOY WOOD, OSAKA GAS CHEMICALS, Union

Coorparoo House / Alexandra Buchanan Architecture

Coorparoo House  / Alexandra Buchanan Architecture - Houses, Facade, Handrail, Balcony, ChairCoorparoo House  / Alexandra Buchanan Architecture - Houses, Deck, Fence, Facade, Handrail, Balcony, Chair, BenchCoorparoo House  / Alexandra Buchanan Architecture - Houses, Kitchen, Beam, Facade, Table, Countertop, ChairCoorparoo House  / Alexandra Buchanan Architecture - Houses, Courtyard, Facade, Handrail, Beam, LightingCoorparoo House  / Alexandra Buchanan Architecture - More Images+ 17

Brisbane, Australia

House Temozón / Boyancé Arquitectura + Edificación

House Temozón / Boyancé Arquitectura + Edificación - HousesHouse Temozón / Boyancé Arquitectura + Edificación - HousesHouse Temozón / Boyancé Arquitectura + Edificación - HousesHouse Temozón / Boyancé Arquitectura + Edificación - HousesHouse Temozón / Boyancé Arquitectura + Edificación - More Images+ 23

Mérida, Mexico
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  505
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2015
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  Acerofertas y Acerounion, Cemex, MIDO, MITZA, Millet

New Design Unveiled of London's £1.1 Billion Olympicopolis, Including Projects by O'Donnell and Tuomey, Allies + Morrison and DS+R

New Design Unveiled of London's £1.1 Billion Olympicopolis, Including Projects by O'Donnell and Tuomey, Allies + Morrison and DS+R - Image 6 of 4
UCL East. ImageImage © Stanton Williams

The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has unveiled a £1.1 billion vision for the East Bank project at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, creating a “new powerhouse of culture, education, innovation, and growth.”The project, alternatively dubbed “Olympicopolis” will contain a number of landmark schemes, including the V&A East by DS+R, and a cultural and education quarter by Allies and Morrison, O’Donnell + Tuomey, and Josep Camps/Olga Felip Arquitectura.

As part of the announcement, the Mayor unveiled new images of designs for Sadler’s Wells, London College of Fashion, and the V&A scheme in partnership with the Smithsonian Institution. He also announced that the BBC will create a new home for its world-renowned Symphony Orchestra & Chorus as part of the program. The will also see the building of 600 new homes across the site, 50% of which will be affordable.

New Design Unveiled of London's £1.1 Billion Olympicopolis, Including Projects by O'Donnell and Tuomey, Allies + Morrison and DS+R - Image 1 of 4New Design Unveiled of London's £1.1 Billion Olympicopolis, Including Projects by O'Donnell and Tuomey, Allies + Morrison and DS+R - Image 2 of 4New Design Unveiled of London's £1.1 Billion Olympicopolis, Including Projects by O'Donnell and Tuomey, Allies + Morrison and DS+R - Image 3 of 4New Design Unveiled of London's £1.1 Billion Olympicopolis, Including Projects by O'Donnell and Tuomey, Allies + Morrison and DS+R - Image 4 of 4New Design Unveiled of London's £1.1 Billion Olympicopolis, Including Projects by O'Donnell and Tuomey, Allies + Morrison and DS+R - More Images+ 7

Clara House / Paz Arquitectura

Clara House / Paz Arquitectura - Houses InteriorsClara House / Paz Arquitectura - Houses InteriorsClara House / Paz Arquitectura - Houses InteriorsClara House / Paz Arquitectura - Houses InteriorsClara House / Paz Arquitectura - More Images+ 17

  • Architects: Paz Arquitectura
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  730
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2016
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  Cemex, Interceramic

Rem Koolhaas and Son Tomas Talk About The Years-Long Process of Shooting “REM”

ArchDaily had the chance to catch Rem Koolhaas and his son, Tomas Koolhaas, together, when they met for a weekend in Los Angeles. In their first ever interview together, following the release of “REM” online, we spoke with the pair about the documentary that was four years in the making. The film had Tomas following his father from the desert to the ocean to the 2014 Venice Biennale, as well as inside several OMA projects around the world, like the Seattle Central Library in America and Maison à Bordeaux in France.

The pair reveal what their father-son relationship is like, how the profession of architecture and filmmaking inform each other, and shine a light on the challenges of filming a well-known family member. Work aside, what came across the most strongly throughout the conversation was the respect they had for each other’s craft, and their gratitude for the chance to work so intimately as father and son.

Reebok Headquarters / Gensler

Reebok Headquarters / Gensler - Institutional Buildings, Stairs, Facade, ColumnReebok Headquarters / Gensler - Institutional Buildings, Table, ChairReebok Headquarters / Gensler - Institutional Buildings, Kitchen, Facade, Table, Countertop, BenchReebok Headquarters / Gensler - Institutional BuildingsReebok Headquarters / Gensler - More Images+ 16

  • Architects: Gensler
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  220000 ft²
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2017
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  Interface, EYELEVEL, Knoll International, Lorimer Studios

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