Australia is set to present a comprehensive exploration of multi-dwelling residential architecture at the upcoming 20th Venice Architecture Biennale in 2027. The Australian Institute of Architects has officially endorsed the 'Lived In' exhibition, a collaborative endeavor spearheaded by Monash Urban Lab researchers Kerstin Thompson, Maryam Gusheh, Lee-Anne Khor, and Louise Wright. This presentation directly addresses the Biennale's overarching theme, 'Do Architecture – For the Possibility of Coexistence Facing a Real Reality,' curated by Wang Shu and Lu Wenyu. The exhibition will meticulously showcase a curated selection of Australian multi-unit housing developments, employing a diverse range of mediums including architectural drawings, compelling photographs, illustrative films, and comprehensive data analysis.
Central to this initiative is the 'Housing Atlas of Australia,' a dynamic research and educational platform established by Kerstin Thompson in conjunction with Monash Urban Lab. This project unites academics, practicing architects, and students from various Australian universities to systematically document a century of significant multi-residential designs. The 'Lived In' exhibition seeks to challenge the prevalent perception of Australia as predominantly suburban, instead illuminating its rich and varied history of multi-dwelling residential architecture. By presenting both celebrated and lesser-known architectural examples, the exhibition will offer a nuanced understanding of how these structures interact with their specific environments, local climates, and cultural contexts, ultimately shaping and being shaped by the fabric of everyday existence.
The 'Lived In' Exhibition at the Venice Biennale
The Australian Institute of Architects has officially selected the 'Lived In' exhibition as the nation's representative at the 20th Venice Architecture Biennale in 2027. This significant contribution, conceived by Kerstin Thompson, Maryam Gusheh, Lee-Anne Khor, and Louise Wright of Monash Urban Lab, is slated to run from May 8 to November 21, 2027, in Venice, Italy. The exhibition directly engages with the Biennale’s central theme, 'Do Architecture – For the Possibility of Coexistence Facing a Real Reality,' guided by curators Wang Shu and Lu Wenyu. Through a multifaceted display of drawings, photography, film, and data, 'Lived In' will present a diverse array of multi-dwelling housing projects from across Australia.
The exhibition's core is underpinned by the ongoing 'Housing Atlas of Australia' research initiative, a collaborative project that brings together experts and students from numerous Australian universities. This extensive project aims to document and analyze over a hundred years of multi-residential architectural history in Australia. By showcasing a variety of housing typologies, from iconic to lesser-known examples, 'Lived In' will offer profound insights into the evolution of Australia's urban landscape. It will highlight how these architectural responses are intrinsically linked to context, climate, and culture, revealing the reciprocal relationship between housing design and daily life, thereby challenging conventional perceptions of Australian urban identity.
Collaborative Research and National Significance
At the heart of the 'Lived In' exhibition is the 'Housing Atlas of Australia,' a groundbreaking national research and educational endeavor spearheaded by Kerstin Thompson and developed through the Monash Urban Lab. This ambitious project unites a broad spectrum of academics, architectural practitioners, and students from leading Australian universities, including Bond University, Adelaide University, Monash University, and RMIT University, among others. Together, they are meticulously documenting significant examples of multi-residential architecture that span more than a century of Australia’s development, with additional contributors anticipated to join the research efforts leading up to the Biennale.
The selection of 'Lived In' by the Australian Institute of Architects followed a rigorous national call for research-driven proposals from Australian architectural schools. Adam Haddow, the Institute's 2025–2026 National President, emphasized the critical importance of architecture in addressing contemporary challenges such as housing, population density, affordability, climate change, and the future trajectories of Australian cities. He underscored that valuable lessons can be drawn not only from innovative design but also from the existing housing infrastructure. Chris Brisbin, President of the Association of Architecture Schools of Australasia, highlighted the strategic involvement of architectural schools, noting that this approach broadens the Biennale’s engagement with practitioners, academics, and students, ensuring a more enduring impact beyond the exhibition's duration and fostering long-term academic and professional growth.