Venice Biennale Creative Directors Announced

The Australian Institute of Architects have named Jack Gillmer, Emily McDaniel and Michael Mossman as the Creative Directors for the Australia Pavilion at the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale. Their exhibit entitled, Home, is a highly sensorial design that incorporates physical, interactive and virtual mediums. Nominated to represent the voices of First Nations design practitioners, the design invites visitors to share their understanding of home through the lens of Country. With the unsuccessful Australian referendum to amend the Australian Constitution for a Voice to Parliament, Home serves to offer impactful dialogue between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.

Rammed earth, a mixture of gravel, sand, silt and clay, is set to be a prominent feature of the exhibit. Seen within a curved wall and bench seat, these structures surround a sand-filled ceremonial and performance space known as the beating heart. Designed as a ‘living canvas’, visitors can share their stories of home utilising the available mud paint medium. The materials have been highly considered to ignite global conversations on First Nations-led approaches toward sustainability, net-zero carbon emissions and material circularity.

“Home  is a highly sensorial design that incorporates physical, interactive and virtual mediums integrated within the space.”

Member of the 2025 Curatorial Committee and National President of the Australian Institute of Architects, Jane Cassidy expressed that Home was selected for its ability to inspire storytelling. “The […] committee’s vision was to find a team of creative directors who could present an Australian Exhibition that tells a rich, engaging story while demonstrating the depth of Australian architectural expertise. Michael, Emily and Jack certainly exemplify this with their vision.”

Home was selected out of twenty-one entries and four finalists. The shortlisted exhibits were varied in their approach. One exhibit explored the impact of asbestos on the Australian landscape, whilst another investigated the markings made on houses to signify certain conditions of the home and positions of occupants. The third investigated transforming Australia’s cities into net producers of energy, waste and water by the year 2030.

Home will be debuted in Venice in May 2025.