2016 Biennale. German pavilion

“Making Heimat. Germany, Arrival Country” is the theme of the German pavilion at the Giardini of the Biennale. The German response to the challenge thrown out by director Alejandro Aravena at the 15th International Architecture Exhibition 2016 – La Biennale di Venezia, who wants to know what's really going on in the world of architecture.


For the 2016 Biennale, Germany explores the issue of refugees and hospitality, going beyond just finding them a place to live and creating new points of reference both for the new arrivals and the local residents - the famous “Heimat”.

The Deutsches Architekturmuseum (DAM) was commissioned by the Federal Ministry of Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB) to realize the German Pavilion exhibition, Making Heimat. Germany, Arrival Country, one of the most eagerly anticipated pavilions, also due to the “making of” video campaign for the exhibition by a renowned German do-it-yourself brand. Peter Cachola Schmal - general commissioner of the Pavilion and Director of DAM - Oliver Elser, curator and Anna Scheuermann, project coordinator are preparing the installation that will tell visitors the story of what is happening in Germany right now to be able to give hospitality to more than 1 million immigrants and refugees.

Since October 2015, DAM has been collecting data on construction projects that are already finished or still underway. The online database is constantly updated and supplemented and depicts the reality of the situation - it's not an architecture prize but rather a practical vehicle to respond to the need to provide adequate housing, a kind of checklist for operators and input for new developments. Some international projects have been added to this in order to broaden the horizons.

At Floornature and Livegreenblog, we can't wait to see the German pavilion, and we'll be there for the preview on 26 and 27 May. From 25 May you can follow us live on Twitter @livegreenblog with #BiennaleArchitettura2016 and of course, on our blog with articles on our #floornaturelive published on 26, 27, 30 and 31 May showcasing previews of pavilions, events and people, continuing during the whole period of the Biennale.

Christiane Bürklein

German pavilion: “Making Heimat. Germany, Arrival Country”
Commissioner: Peter Cachola Schmal
Curator: Oliver Elser
Project coordinator: Anna Scheuermann
Website:: http://www.makingheimat.de/
15th International Architecture Exhibition - Venice Biennale
28 May to 27 November 2016
Images: Courtesy of DAM
A catalogue of the same name is being published by Hatje Cantz