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Pro Helvetia Opens Call for Swiss Pavilion at 2020 Venice Architecture Biennale

architecture-design · 2026-05-04

Pro Helvetia has initiated a two-stage competition aimed at choosing the design team for the Swiss Pavilion at the Venice Architecture Biennale in 2020. This contest is open to Swiss citizens and residents, with a submission deadline of September 16, 2018. Proposals must engage with current architectural discussions while remaining distinct from the Biennale’s unspecified theme. The budget is limited to 280,000 CHF, and shortlisted teams will receive a 2,000 CHF reimbursement. Evaluation will focus on adherence to budget, clarity of theme, visual appeal, and representation of Swiss architecture. Results will be revealed on November 2, 2018, with presentations scheduled for November 16-17. The final phase in January 2019 will refine concepts for 5-7 projects, culminating in the announcement of the winner in March 2019.

Key facts

  • Pro Helvetia launched a two-phase competition for the Swiss Pavilion at the 2020 Venice Architecture Biennale.
  • Deadline for initial proposals is September 16, 2018.
  • The selected theme must be independent of the Biennale 2020 theme but relevant to contemporary Swiss architectural debate.
  • Budget cap is 280,000 CHF; shortlisted teams receive 2,000 CHF reimbursement.
  • Jury chaired by Céline Guibat (architect EPFL SIA, Zurich, Sion).
  • First-round results announced November 2, 2018, on biennials.ch.
  • Shortlisted projects presented to jury on November 16-17, 2018.
  • Final winner announced in March 2019.
  • Current Swiss Pavilion won Golden Lion at 2018 Biennale for 'Svizzera 240: House Tour'.
  • Salon Suisse 2018 runs parallel to Biennale with events in September, October, and November.

Entities

Artists

  • Alessandro Bosshard
  • Li Tavork
  • Matthew van der Ploeg
  • Ani Vihervaara
  • Bruno Giacometti
  • Céline Guibat
  • Marcel Bächtiger
  • Tim Kammasch
  • Stanislas Zimmermann
  • Laura Tinti
  • Valentina Silvestrini

Institutions

  • Pro Helvetia
  • Swiss Pavilion
  • Venice Architecture Biennale
  • La Biennale di Venezia
  • Salon Suisse
  • Artribune
  • EPFL SIA

Locations

  • Venice
  • Italy
  • Zurich
  • Switzerland
  • Sion

Sources