The British Council Commission at the Venice Architecture Biennale aims to create debate that both challenges and influences the future of British and global architecture.
Building on the success of the 2025 British Pavilion, which was commissioned as a UK-Kenya collaboration, for 2027, we're looking to appoint a collaborative UK-Malaysia architectural Practitioner Team to develop and deliver an exhibition in the British Pavilion in Venice. The Practitioner Team may consist of architects, exhibition designers, curators, educators, researchers, or have another design or built environment background, but must be experienced in exhibition development and delivery.
In 2027, the UK and Malaysia will celebrate 70 years of diplomatic relations, marking a milestone for the bi-lateral relationship and a foundation for an even stronger relationship between the two nations going forward.
For the 2027 British Pavilion, we invite teams to use the exhibition to build on the work of our UK-Malaysia Human-Nature programme, which explores our relationship as humans with each other and with the natural environment.
The 2027 British Pavilion exhibition may explore the role of architecture and the built environment in relation to colonialism, extractive economies, identity and representation, inclusion, ancestral knowledge and wisdom, biodiversity, the climate emergency, and/or cultural rights and heritage protection.
We are looking for courageous and bold proposals which prompt and inspire new perspectives in contemporary architecture and the role of the built environment in addressing global challenges. Ultimately, the 2027 British Pavilion exhibition should demonstrate courage and boldness and have implications for architecture practice both in the United Kingdom, Malaysia, Southeast Asia and/or the world.
The British Pavilion at the 20th International Architecture Exhibition at the 2027 Venice Biennale presents a remarkable opportunity to demonstrate the UK’s strength in cross-cultural collaboration, architecture and innovation in the built environment.
The successful proposal will put forward a compelling narrative, present a clear exhibition design concept and must be delivered within the agreed budget. The proposal for the British Council Commission should demonstrate and communicate the concept with impact and clarity and have the flexibility to be experienced both physically and digitally by a global and diverse audience.
Submissions must be received via the online application system by 23.59 (GMT) on Wednesday 14 January 2026.
The successful lead applicant will sign a contract with the British Council and be paid a participation fee of £25,000 (exclusive of VAT). The fee is to cover the time and work required to meet the deliverables required.
Details of the Open Call, together with a timeline and information on the British Pavilion can be downloaded below.