Brazil pavilion learns from Amazonian architectural practices

Two exhibition spaces exploring learnings from Amazonian architectural practices have been installed within the Brazil pavilion at this year's Venice Architecture Biennale.

Curated by architects Luciana Saboia, Matheus Seco, and Eder Alencar of studio Plano Coletivo, the pavilion draws closely on recent discoveries of sustainable, ancient infrastructure in the Amazon.

Based on the theme of Re-invention, the trio sought to establish ways in which these sustainable, indigenous practices could inform approaches to design and construction that mitigate climate challenges.

To do this, the pavilion is divided into two exhibition spaces – one presenting a platform for the discovery and another exploring architecture in contemporary Brazilian cities.

"We have based the theme of our exhibition on the idea of exploring our 'collective knowledge' as a way to learn important lessons that can still offer valuable views on ways to face the extremely complex issues that we have today," the collective told Dezeen.

"We explored this idea not only in terms of mitigating the effects of the climate emergency, but mainly as a way to look at our past and at our existing cities and what we can learn from the 'inherited infrastructure' that we have to deal with, everyday."

The exhibition places sculptural elements and intricate drawings with the minimalist interior.

"Our exhibition installation was designed with minimal elements, using the structure of the Brazilian pavilion as a support to reconfigure its internal spaces."

The first room – or Amazon room – is complete with wooden panels that rest on the walls and floor – informed by indigenous peoples' connection to the soil.

Meanwhile, in the second room, the installation was built using a suspended system of wooden panels, stones for counterweights, and steel cables and tubes chosen for their ties to indigenous and contemporary Brazilian architecture.

"The choice of materials had to do with ways to relate to each time lapse or specific materiality," the collective said.

"Wood, the same material that was used in most of the ancient constructions of the Amazon for example, in different formats, is also the material used in all the panels of the exhibition, in a different form."

The curators hope that the pavilion will encourage a more positive outlook on nature and the built environment by its visitors to promote sustainable infrastructure.

"I hope that this information and the way we present it can lead people to change their views about the Amazon forest and strengthen the initiatives for protection for its people and its nature," they added.

Other pavilions at the Venice Architecture Biennale exclusively revealed on Dezeen today include the Danish Pavilion, which has been turned into a construction site by Søren Pihlmann and the Finland Pavilion, which tells the "untold story" of Alvar Aalto-designed building.

The photography is by ReportArch / Andrea Ferro Photography / Fundação Bienal de São Paulo.

The Venice Architecture Biennale takes place from 10 May and 23 November 2025. See Dezeen Events Guide for all the latest information you need to know to attend the event, as well as a list of other architecture and design events taking place around the world.

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