Alongside our national exhibition Future Islands, design-orientated companies and organisations will be able to tell their stories within the New Zealand Room, a specially curated space inside the Palazzo Bollani at the 2016 Venice Architecture Biennale, which is launched over 26 and 27 May and runs until the end of November.

Organised by the New Zealand Institute of Architects and curated by leading young designer Rufus Knight, both the New Zealand Room (Te Koha) and the national exhibition Future Islands aim to present New Zealand as both creative and enterprising, with a distinctive and recognisable design identity.

Companies and organisations that are contributing to the effort around the New Zealand Room include paint manufacturer Resene, furniture group Resident, commercial fitout fabricator Robinson Interiors and boat builder Core Builders Composites.

With the support of New Zealand Room partners, Rufus Knight has also designed a Reading Room (Te Mātau) at the Palazzo Bollani which will give visitors further opportunity to experience Kiwi design and to read about the design culture and history of New Zealand.

The New Zealand Room will be officially opened by New Zealand’s Consul-General and Trade Commissioner in Milan, Ann Clifford, on Friday 27 May at 1pm.

Ever the Land, the acclaimed documentary on the design and construction of the unique cultural building for Tūhoe iwi will also feature at this year’s Venice Biennale. Ever the Land tells the story of the building of Te Wharehou o Tūhoe at Tāneatua in the Ureweras, a project of huge significance for Tūhoe. Jasmax designed the new building to meet the strict criteria of the international Living Building Challenge, and it now serves as the headquarters and meeting place of the Tūhoe people. 

Representatives of Tūhoe and Jasmax are travelling to Venice for the film’s screenings, as are Ever the Land’s director and producer. All will participate in discussion sessions following the screenings.

Ever the Land will be screened at 10.30am and 3.30pm on Saturday 28 May in the auditorium of the Fondazione Querini Stampalia, which was restored by Carlo Scarpa and is one of Venice’s most significant architectural sites.

For more information on Future Islands and The New Zealand Room, see here.