Venice Architecture Biennale
For the Venice Biennale, 52 American Architects were invited to interpret the “Architecture of Generosity” through an Open Call for Projects. The United States Pavilion at the 19th International Biennale Architettura of La Biennale di Venezia, the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design, University of Arkansas, in partnership with DesignConnects and Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, were commissioned by the United States Department of State to organize and curate an exhibition focused on the representation of the United States of America, at its best, in architectural means and in national character, through the contemporary manifestation of “the porch” — of that quintessentially constructed American place that is at once social, environmental, tectonic, performative, hospitable, generous, democratic.
“The exhibition format emphasizes a diversity of voices and perspectives, but also a set of common causes for productive action through architecture and design,” Peter MacKeith, Dean and Professor of the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design.
Ross Barney Architects’ response is based on the gracious and generous Chicago Riverwalk.
Concept
“Our porch is a window on the world. A porch is the stage where life happens.
It’s an essential space between the cocoon of myself and the cacophony of my city. It is the transition between nature and man …inside and out.
The public porch is most generous; everyone is welcome.
Chicago’s porch is the Riverwalk, a place where anything can happen, from lazy relaxation to debate on the value of democracy.
Our window explores the architectural generosity of the Chicago Riverwalk. The mammoth tree standing near the river reminds us how vast nature is and how small we are. Look in carefully at what’s happening? A Wedding. A photo shoot. A demonstration. A yoga class. People watchers. Readers. Friends having lunch.
Life is on the porch… imagine yourself on the Riverwalk stage.
Italian
Un portico è il palcoscenico dove si svolge la vita.
È uno spazio essenziale tra il bozzolo di me stesso e la cacofonia della mia città. È la transizione tra natura e uomo… dentro e fuori.
Il portico pubblico è il più generoso; tutti sono benvenuti.
Il portico di Chicago è il Riverwalk, un luogo dove tutto può accadere, dal relax pigro al dibattito sul valore della democrazia.
La nostra finestra esplora la generosità architettonica del Riverwalk di Chicago. Il gigantesco albero che si erge vicino al fiume ci ricorda quanto sia vasta la natura e quanto siamo piccoli noi. Guarda attentamente cosa sta succedendo? Un matrimonio. Un servizio fotografico. Una dimostrazione. Una lezione di yoga. Osservatori. Lettori. Amici che pranzano.
La vita è sul portico… immaginati sul palco del Riverwalk.
The Chicago Riverwalk as Inspiration
Bruegel’s Hunters in the Snow painting as Inspiration
Two of my favorite things are sitting on my front porch smoking a pipe of sweet hemp and playing my Hohner harmonica.
Abraham Lincoln, 16th US President
The Biennale window-porch was constructed in Ross Barney Architects’ studio in March 2025. Techniques included laser cutting, digital printing as well as matte knife and Elmer’s’ glue. The entire window had a 44-pound weight limit.
Every gathering of Americans- whether a few on the porch of a crossroads store, or massed thousands in a great stadium, is the possessor of a potentially immeasurable influence on the future.
Dwight D. Eisenhower, 34th US President
If you can’t run with the big dogs, stay on the porch.
John Madden
Make your front porch part of your home, and it will make you part of the world.
John Sarris
Yes I heard my people singing! – and the glow of parlor coal-stove and on summer porches, sweet with lilac air. From Choir loft and Sunday morning pews-and my soul was filled with their harmonies.
Paul Robeson
