UCL architect's design honoured at Venice Biennale of Architecture

Commissioned by the British Council, the thought-provoking exhibit 'Geology of Britannic Repair' explores the relationship between architecture and colonisation and featured Professor Fraser’s installation, ‘Objects of Repair’. 

The installation, which was co-designed with Dr Yara Sharif and Dr Nasser Golzari (both University of Westminster), explores how salvaged materials and resourceful construction techniques can enable regeneration in contexts of extreme scarcity. It draws on the ongoing work of the Palestine Regeneration Team, which Professor Fraser co-founded, to test and transform available resources for rebuilding the West Bank and Gaza. 

The installation, which was Britain’s entry to the biennale, reimagines architecture as a practice of healing and transformation, where new forms emerge through processes of fracture, reuse and collective resilience. Through models, drawings and material assemblies, the work proposes alternative architectural futures rooted in climate justice and cultural continuity.    

Widely regarded as the most significant event in the architectural calendar, the Venice Architecture Biennale brings together leading voices from around the world to explore critical issues shaping the built environment today.  

'Geology of Britannic Repair' was jointly awarded ‘Special Mention for Best National Participation’ alongside the Vatican City’s entry, ‘Opera aperta’. The Golden Lion for Best National Participation was awarded to Bahrain for their exhibit ‘Heatwave’. 

The Kingdom of Bahrain's winning pavilion, 'Heatwave', included contributions from alumni of The Bartlett School of Architecture and Development Planning Unit, Dr Wafa Al-Ghatam and Layla Hasa.

Bartlett School of Architecture alumni and co-founders of Syn Architects, Sara Alissa and Nojoud Alsudairi, were awarded the prestigious AR Moira Gemmill Prize for Emerging Architecture 2025. The award recognises emerging designers under the age of 45 who are leading their own practices. 

Professor Jacqui Glass, Dean of The Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment, said: “I am proud of The Bartlett's representation at the Venice Biennale. Our academics and alumni are engaging with architecture's most pressing questions through innovative work.  

““The Special Mention for the British Pavilion which included exhibits from Bartlett colleagues and the Moira Gemmill Prize awarded to our graduates both demonstrate the quality and relevance of Bartlett research and education. Their purposive contributions show how architectural thinking can address global challenges.” 

Professor Murray Fraser is Professor of Architecture and Global Culture at Bartlett School of Architecture, a former editor of The Journal of Architecture, and ex-Chair of the Society of Architectural Historians of Great Britain. In 2018, he received the Annie Spink Award for Excellence in Architectural Education, the RIBA’s highest teaching accolade. 

Links 

• Professor Murray Fraser’s academic profile 
• The Bartlett School of Architecture 
• The Bartlett, UCL’s Faculty of the Built Environment 
• Biennale Architettura 2025 
• Geology of Britannic Repair – British Independent 
• Bartlett Academics and Alumni Exhibit at the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale 
• Mpho Matsipa Announced as Member of the International Jury of the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale 

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