The Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design at the University of Arkansas, in collaboration with DesignConnects and Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, has announced an open call for design proposals for the U.S. Pavilion at the 19th International Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia. The exhibition, titled PORCH: An Architecture of Generosity, will reflect the significance of the porch as an enduring architectural element and a cultural symbol in American life.
PORCH explores the porch as a versatile space, embodying themes of hospitality, community, and environmental adaptability. The pavilion’s theme aligns with the Biennale Architettura 2025’s overarching focus, Intelligens: Natural. Artificial. Collective, curated by architect and engineer Carlo Ratti. Together, these themes will highlight architecture’s role in addressing climate challenges and envisioning future solutions.
Open Call Details
Eligibility: Architects, landscape architects, designers, artists, nonprofits, public agencies, and individuals from the United States and its territories are invited to submit proposals. Projects must demonstrate artistic and architectural merit and have been completed after 2000.
Submission Period: December 3, 2024, to January 17, 2025, closing in one month’s time. Guidelines and project briefs can be found at porchusavenice2025.org/open-call.
Selection Process: Submissions will be evaluated by the PORCH design team in collaboration with prominent figures in architecture and design. Selected participants, announced on February 3, 2025, will receive stipends to develop their proposals further for the exhibition. A separate call for unbuilt and speculative projects from students and schools will open in January 2025.
Exhibition Debut: PORCH will open to the public on May 10, 2025, at the U.S. Pavilion in Venice.
The Pavilion’s Vision
The pavilion’s curatorial team envisions the porch as a symbol of American architecture’s social and environmental adaptability. Dean Peter MacKeith of the Fay Jones School described the initiative as a celebration of civic engagement, community building, and resilience. Susan Chin of DesignConnects highlighted the porch’s role as a welcoming space for dialogue, while Rod Bigelow of Crystal Bridges emphasized its storytelling potential, representing diverse American experiences.
Organizers and Supporters
The Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design, named after the Arkansas-born AIA Gold Medalist Fay Jones, promotes a multidisciplinary approach to design, emphasizing civic engagement and global awareness. DesignConnects contributes expertise in cultural and urban design, while Crystal Bridges Museum, known for its expansive collection of American art, provides a platform for creative and inclusive representation.
About La Biennale di Venezia
Since its establishment in 1895, La Biennale di Venezia has been a prestigious platform for art and architecture. The 19th International Architecture Exhibition will run from May 10 to November 23, 2025, continuing its tradition of showcasing innovative ideas. The U.S. Pavilion, a neoclassical structure managed by the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, has hosted American exhibitions since 1930, reflecting a dynamic vision of architecture and design.
The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs oversees American participation at La Biennale, fostering international connections through cultural exchanges and public diplomacy programs.
For more information on PORCH and the U.S. Pavilion open call, visit porchusavenice2025.org.
