New Zealand Pavilion

Future Islands was New Zealand’s second national exhibition at Mostra di Architettura di Venezia – the Venice Architecture Biennale. Led by creative directors Charles Walker and Kathy Waghorn, the exhibition team used America’s Cup fabrication techniques to create twenty-two islands that were dotted with dozens of building models that explored geographical, social and geopolitical aspects of New Zealand architecture. The exhibition was about the practice and promise of architecture in Aotearoa – a small, open society that is diverse, changing and economically (and seismically) vulnerable. The floating, pristine-white forms occupied a sea of space, with the 50-plus models of architectural projects carefully arranged on or nearby the islands.

The exhibition, installed in a Renaissance palazzo in Venice from June–November 2016, was seen by thousands of people. It was also well received by the public upon its return to New Zealand, with tens of thousands of people enjoying the experience at galleries in Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Wellington and Christchurch.

Photography by Mary Gaudin / David St George

2017 Interior Awards - Winner, Exhibition and Installation category
2016 Best Awards - Gold Pin, Spatial Exhibition Design category