As part of the 14th International Architecture Exhibition of la Biennale di Venezia, the Collateral Event Time Space Existence at Palazzo Bembo and Palazzo Mora presented more than 100 architects from over 40 countries. This exhibition documented developments and thoughts in architecture, highlighting fundamental questions by discussing the philosophical concepts Time, Space and Existence. An international group of architects with different cultural backgrounds and who are in different stages of their careers, i.e. established architects next to architects whose works might be less known. What they have in common is their dedication to architecture in the broadest sense of their profession. The exhibition showcased a large diversity of presentations (models, concepts, research results, dreams, hopes and ideas), combining classical architectural presentations with surprising artistic elements. All presentations were either site-specific, specially made for this exhibition or coming directly from the architect’s studio. The two locations each have their particular atmosphere. The 32 rooms in Palazzo Bembo mainly highlight solo-presentations, by architects such as Ricardo Bofill, AHMM, GMP, and White arkitekter, or research projects such as that of the University of Houston. With its typical Venetian features, Palazzo Mora showcased a variety of architects within its grand spaces, such as the sculpture by Eduardo Souto de Moura.

With their structures, architects often have an enormous impact on the way we humans experience our surroundings, experience Time-Space. They influence our daily existence and leave a mark on the earth from this current Time and often this ‘mark’ even outlives the architect himself. Architects should be very conscious about the impact their activities and decisions have on people and other living beings as well as on our environment as a total. By combining different architectural thoughts and approaches, this exhibition aimed to enlarge our human awareness of our own personal existence as a human being within a specific space and time.