Portugese architect Eduardo Souto de Moura has been awarded the Golden Lion at the Venice Architecture Biennale for "Vol De Jour" project exhibited at the Arsenale, while the Swiss Pavilion has been awarded the Best Pavilion as National Participant at the Giardini.

Eduardo Souto de Moura, founder of Souto Moura – Arquitectos, has been awarded the Golden Lion for the best participant in the 16th Exhibition entitled Freespace, curated by Irish architects Yvonne Farrell and Shelley Mcnamara of Grafton Architects. 

Image © Andrea Avezzù, courtesy La Biennale di Venezia

Moura's project, titled Vol De Jour, was praised "for the precision of the pairing of two aerial photographs, which reveals the essential relationship between architecture, time and place. Freespace appears without being announced, plain and simple."

The International Jury of the 16th International Architecture Exhibition was composed of Sofía von Ellrichshausen (President of the Jury, Argentina), Frank Barkow (United States), Kate Goodwin (Australia), Patricia Patkau (Canada), Pier Paolo Tamburelli (Italy).

Switzerland Pavilion at the Giardini. Image © Italo Rondinella, courtesy La Biennale di Venezia

The Golden Lion also went to the Swiss Pavilion for Best National Participation. The project, titled "Svizzera 240: House Tour" and located at the Giardini, was praised "for a compelling architectural installation that is at once enjoyable while tackling the critical issues of scale in domestic space."

Andra Matin's Elevation installation (Jakarta, Indonesia) at the Arsenale. Image © World Architecture Community

Andra Matin's "Elevation" installation has won the Special Mention in the 16th Exhibition, titled Freespace. The jury praised the project as "a sensitive installation that provides a framework to reflect on the material and form of traditional vernacular structures." Matin's wooden structure is exhibited as a central element in many vernacular forms. 

Elevational diversity in Indonesian vernacular architecture reflects the diverse environments within this country: Matin's exhibition translates this diversity into a spatial sequence, showcasing the spatial autonomy of Indonesian's vernacular architecture.

Rahul Mehrotra's installation exhibitied at the Giardini. Image © Italo Rondinella, courtesy La Biennale di Venezia

The another Special Mention also went to Rahul Mehrotra from RMA Architects, based in Mumbai, India and Boston, USA. The installation showcases three projects reflected too tulle curtains and walls. The jury described it as: "the project addresses issues of intimacy and empathy, gently diffusing social boundaries and hierarchies."

Great Britain Pavilion at the Giardini presents a scaffolding supporting a wooden platform at roof-level. Image drone photography © British Council, photos by Cultureshock Media

The another Special Mention has been awarded to the Great Britain as National Participation at the Giardini. The jury praised the project "as the Courageous proposal that use semptiness to create a “freespace” for events and informal appropriation."

The Pavilion, curated by Caruso St John Architects with artist Marcus Taylor, have responded to Freespace, with the construction of a new public gathering space in the Giardini.  

Visitors approaching the British Pavilion meet the building covered with scaffolding supporting a wooden platform at roof-level. "A staircase running the length of one side of the building leads up to an elevated piazza, a place to meet or to relax amongst the tree-tops of the Giardini, open to the sky with views across the Lagoon." 

"Tea will be served at 4 p.m. each day, with seats and umbrellas offering comfort and shade. The peak of the Pavilion’s roof projects up through the floor at the centre of the space, suggesting both an island and a sunken world beneath."

Jan de Vylder, Inge Vinck, Jo Taillieu's installation can be visited at the Giardini. Image © Andrea Avezzù, courtesy La Biennale di Venezia

The Silver Lion went to a promising young participant in the 16th Exhibition, titled Freespace, Jan de Vylder, Inge Vinck, Jo Taillieu from Belgium. 

architecten de vylder vinck taillieu's project was praised "for possessing a confidence thanks to which slowness and waiting allow architecture to be open to future activation."

Paolo Baratta and Kenneth Frampton. Image © Andrea Avezzù, courtesy of La Biennale di Venezia

British architect, historian, critic and educator Kenneth Frampton has received his award from Paolo Baratta, the chair of the Venice Architecture Biennale. Frampton was announced as the recipient of Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the Venice Architecture Biennale last month.

The Awards Ceremony of the 16th International Architecture Exhibition took place on Saturday, May 26th 2018 at Ca’ Giustinian, the headquarters of Venice Architecture Biennale.

Top image: Eduardo Souto de Moura's Vol De Jour at the Arsenale. Image © Francesco Galli, courtesy La Biennale di Venezia

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