DUBLIN-BASED ARCHITECTS Heneghan Peng are to represent Ireland at the 13th International Architecture Exhibition at the prestigious Venice Biennale.

The exhibition, entitled Shifting Ground, is one of 56 national pavilions confirmed for one of the world’s most important architectural showcases. At the heart of the exhibit is the idea that contemporary Irish architecture has a “global identity bound up in transnational collaborations”.

Coordinated for Ireland by Commissioner Elizabeth Francis and curated by John McLaughlin, Shifting Ground asks
 “how
 
global
 architecture
 is 
 grounded
 culturally,
 philosophically
 and
 spatially and how 
can 
it 
situate 
itself 
outside
 of
 shared 
national
 reference 
points”. The 
Pavilion 
of 
Ireland
 will be 

composed 
of 
a 
series 
of 
wall
 drawings
 and
 a
 12-metre long bench constructed
 of
 six interconnected
 sections
 for
 resting.

Heneghan Peng, currently working in three continents, are the architects responsible for the new Giant’s Causeway Visitors’ Centre in Antrim, a bridge at the London Olympics, and the new Museum at the Pyramids in Egypt.

Furthermore, although Heneghan Peng will officially represent Ireland at Venice delegation, four more Irish architects will also be featured at Biennale. Grafton Architects and O’Donnell + Tuomey were chosen by the Director of the Biennale to feature in the exhibition’s notable international curator’s programme; Clancy Moore Architects are to be included in the Backstage Architecture exhibition and book; and Boyd Cody Architects are to be among the Greek and international practices invited to contribute to the Greek Pavilion.

The 13th International Architecture Exhibition – la Biennale di Venezia opens to the public on 29 August 2012 and continues until 25 November 2012. For more details please visit www.shiftingground.ie