THE GARDEN OF PRIVATISED DELIGHTS, British Pavilion at Venice Biennale 2021 - All photos by Cristiano Corte.

THE GARDEN OF PRIVATISED DELIGHTS, British Pavilion at Venice Biennale 2021 – All photos by Cristiano Corte.

Architecture – The Garden of Privatised Delights, curated by Manijeh Verghese and Madeleine Kessler of Unscene Architecture, highlights urgent issues, including the demise of the high street, how we use facial recognition technology, and the decline in dedicated social places for teenagers.

THE GARDEN OF PRIVATISED DELIGHTS, British Pavilion at Venice Biennale 2021, entrance - Photo by Cristiano Corte

In an effort to encourage greater inclusivity and consultation around architecture, the exhibition will pose questions and offer ways forward to challenges such as: how to make better use of green spaces in urban environments; can we rethink how public land is allocated and used; and how can the local pub be repurposed to serve the wider community.

THE GARDEN OF PRIVATISED DELIGHTS, British Pavilion at Venice Biennale 2021 - Photo by Cristiano Corte 3

Taking inspiration from Dutch artist Hieronymus Bosch’s triptych, The Garden of Earthly Delights, the exhibition transforms the British Pavilion into six immersive spaces offering interactive experiences of architecture. The curators have invited five additional teams of designers to collaborate with them on the British Council commission.

THE GARDEN OF PRIVATISED DELIGHTS, British Pavilion at Venice Biennale 2021, High Street of Exchanges - Photo by Cristiano Corte.

High Street of Exchanges, Studio Polpo.

Studio Polpo rethinks the high street beyond commercial interests but as a place of diverse social exchange. Public Works proposes to use citizen’s assemblies to develop new strategies for land ownership and use. vPPR suggests to design new spaces in the city for teenagers to occupy on their own terms.

THE GARDEN OF PRIVATISED DELIGHTS, British Pavilion at Venice Biennale 2021, Publicani - Photo by Cristiano Corte

Publicani, The Decorators.

The Decorators explores how pubs can be more than a place for drinking and become a versatile centre for civic action, Built Works examines how to rethink facial recognition technology is used in public space.

THE GARDEN OF PRIVATISED DELIGHTS, British Pavilion at Venice Biennale 2021, Ministry of Collective Data - Photo by Cristiano Corte.

Ministry of Collective Data, Built Works.

“We are delighted to be working with an amazing team of design collaborators to explore different types of privatised public space in The Garden of Privatised Delights. We hope to initiate conversations around how the private and public sectors can work together to provide the public spaces that are missing in cities and to make them accessible to all.”

THE GARDEN OF PRIVATISED DELIGHTS, British Pavilion at Venice Biennale 2021, Play With(out) Grounds - Photo by Cristiano Corte

Play With(out) Grounds, vPPR.

“By expanding the definition of what privatised public space can be, as well as widening the debate around who can access, own, design and use these areas, we hope to inspire more welcoming and beneficial public spaces for everyone to enjoy.”

THE GARDEN OF PRIVATISED DELIGHTS, British Pavilion at Venice Biennale 2021, Ministry of Common Land - Photo by Cristiano Corte

Ministry of Common Land. Public Works.

Photos by Cristiano Corte – Courtesy of the British Pavilion.

THE GARDEN OF PRIVATISED DELIGHTS, British Pavilion at Venice Biennale 2021 - Alll photos by Cristiano Corte.