Reusing discarded materials from other exhibits, Germany takes action at Venice Biennale

The Venice Architecture Biennale — the world's largest and most famous architecture festival — opened last month and runs through 26 November 2023. When its many doors shutter, most of the exhibition materials will go from high-concept design to heaps of trash. Very little is reused. This year's German contribution is choosing to tackle that issue.

For its exhibit, Wegen Umbau geöffnet/Open for Maintenance, the curating team collected leftover material from last year's Art Biennale. The German pavilion is now a repository for items donated by 37 national pavilions: large white pipes from the Austrian pavilion, a metal door from Italy, timber from Chile, and much more.

But saving items from being junked was just the first step. Wegen Umbau geöffnet is hosting monthslong workshops whereby local organizations will partner with architecture students and trades apprentices on maintenance projects throughout Venice. Participants will repair roofs, design furniture for communal spaces, upgrade sanitary facilities and build ramps for better access to buildings. As much as possible, they'll use materials from the repository.