No biennale
Renovation of the British Pavilion, Photograph by Brooks Murray
To coincide with the centenary year of the Venice Biennale in 1995 the British Council took the opportunity to refurbish and upgrade the British Pavilion. Although its structure and fabric were basically sound, there has been progressive deterioration over the years from wear and tear and irregular maintenance. We commissioned the British architects Brooks and Murray in the summer of 1994 to reverse the general decline of the building and introduce disabled access and public amenities. The piano nobile was refurbished and rewired, with the piano terra, formerly used only for case-storage, was fitted with toilet and shower facilities, kitchen, office and entertainment space. Local materials were used throughout including coccio peste rendered walls and piera d’istra stone dressings.
