Belgian Pavilion at international architecture exhibition
2023
The Belgian pavilion at the 18th International Architecture Exhibition in Venice was commissioned by the Wallonia-Brussels Federation and curated by the Brussels-based architectural practice Bento and the philosopher Vinciane Despret. They developed the concept “In Vivo” to highlight organic materials with strong narratives.
Together with the architects, Sonian developed and built a monumental structure based on 40x40mm beech beams, creating an interior space covered with mycelium boards. The mycelium was produced by Permafungi, a Brussels-based company specialised in mushroom cultivation that uses Sonian’s woodworking waste as biological substrate. After the end of the exhibition in November 2023, Sonian’s wooden structure has been converted into interior furniture for a female boxing club in Venice.
Photos by Ugo Carmni.
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