Architecture News

The upcoming 2027 Venice Architecture Biennale will host a significant contribution from South Korea, focusing on the country's unique experience with hyper-shrinkage – an accelerated phase of demographic contraction and societal aging. This curatorial endeavor, aptly titled "Catabolism," aims to reframe the conversation around urban decline, proposing a perspective that views shrinkage not as an end but as a transformative process. The exhibition will delve into how existing urban structures and relationships can be reconfigured to foster new uses and lifestyles, challenging traditional expansion-centric urban development models. Drawing insights from the Mid-Size City Forum's extensive research, "Catabolism" will explore the architectural implications of urban perforation, where vacant plots emerge and buildings are adaptively reused, showcasing the architect's evolving role in dismantling, reusing, and reorganizing in a perpetually changing urban landscape.

South Korea's 'Catabolism' Exhibition Unveils Vision for Urban Transformation at the 2027 Venice Architecture Biennale

On October 20, 2026, the Arts Council Korea (ARKO) officially announced its curatorial vision for the South Korean Pavilion at the 2027 International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia. The exhibition, named "Catabolism," will be led by esteemed curator Janghwan Lee and will feature the collaborative work of architects Bae Yoonkyung, Kyo Suk Lee, and Jaehyub Ko. This groundbreaking project seeks to address South Korea's profound demographic shifts, particularly its rapid population decline and aging society, a phenomenon termed "hyper-shrinkage."

The central premise of "Catabolism," a term borrowed from metabolic processes where complex molecules break down into simpler units, is to offer a fresh lens through which to understand urban contraction. Moving away from the conventional narrative of urban decay, the curatorial team proposes that shrinkage represents an opportunity for urban reconfiguration, the emergence of new relationships, and the adaptation of spaces for evolving human needs. The exhibition will highlight how areas outside South Korea's major metropolitan hubs are experiencing a gradual decrease in urban intensity, leading to the demolition of vacant properties and the creation of scattered open plots. These plots, often transforming into temporary parking lots, community gardens, or remaining unused, significantly re-sculpt the existing urban fabric and daily life.

Drawing upon the rigorous research and field observations of the Mid-Size City Forum, "Catabolism" will present the concept of "urban perforation." It will showcase various architectural responses to these changes, including the subdivision, connection, demolition, repair, subtraction, and addition of existing buildings to accommodate new and diverse functions. The exhibition aims to demonstrate the architect's crucial role in managing these processes of dismantling, removing, and reusing elements within a constantly changing urban environment.

Curator Janghwan Lee, known for his work with Urban Operations and co-direction of the Mid-Size City Forum, brings a wealth of experience from his time at OMA in Rotterdam and his extensive research into the disappearance of small and medium-sized cities. The contributing architects, Bae Yoonkyung, Kyo Suk Lee, and Jaehyub Ko, each bring unique perspectives on space production, urban design, and the intersection of practice and academia, enriching the exhibition's multifaceted approach to urban transformation.

While the exhibition focuses on shrinkage in smaller cities, it also implicitly contrasts with the ongoing densification projects in South Korea's capital, Seoul. Recent developments like UNS's SeoulOne masterplan for multigenerational living, Heatherwick Studio's transformation of the Daegyo Apartments, and Studio Libeskind's high-density residential towers in Gangnam-gu illustrate a parallel urban narrative of growth and redevelopment in the metropolis. "Catabolism" at the Venice Biennale thus offers a timely and critical examination of how architecture can respond to the complex and often divergent realities of urban evolution.

This innovative approach to urban shrinkage presented by the South Korean Pavilion offers profound insights into the future of architectural practice and urban planning globally. It challenges us to reconsider our understanding of urban vitality, suggesting that growth is not the sole measure of success. Instead, by embracing the principles of "catabolism," cities can find resilience and new forms of dynamism through adaptation, reuse, and the creative re-imagining of existing spaces. This perspective is particularly relevant in an era marked by shifting demographics and environmental concerns, urging architects and policymakers to cultivate an architecture that is not just about building anew, but about thoughtfully engaging with what already exists and what remains.

In architecture, the final product often overshadows the intricate journey of its creation, where raw concepts evolve into tangible structures. However, on Tarkwa Bay, an island off the coast of Lagos, accessibility challenges reshape this dynamic, emphasizing the journey of construction itself. The transformation of a derelict building on this island exemplifies a design philosophy deeply rooted in its immediate environment, utilizing available resources and local knowledge.

Building on Tarkwa Bay presents unique logistical complexities, where the movement of people, tools, and materials across water becomes a central aspect of construction. This environment naturally prioritizes resourcefulness, as reclaimed elements, imbued with stories from their origins, are integrated into new forms. The harsh coastal conditions, characterized by salt and sun exposure, dictate how materials behave, while the availability and skills of local craftspeople profoundly influence construction methods. These factors are not merely constraints; they actively shape the architectural expression, making visible the dependencies that might otherwise be overlooked in more conventional building contexts.

This adaptive approach to construction highlights how architecture can emerge organically from the existing conditions, relationships, and materials of a place. It underscores the importance of a symbiotic relationship between design and environment, fostering structures that are not only functional but also deeply connected to their surroundings. By embracing these challenges, the project on Tarkwa Bay offers a powerful model for sustainable and context-responsive design, promoting a deeper understanding of architecture as an ongoing, iterative process.

The adaptive and resourceful architectural practices demonstrated on Tarkwa Bay serve as an inspiring example of how creativity and ingenuity can thrive even in demanding circumstances. This approach not only yields unique and resilient structures but also reinforces a profound respect for local contexts and sustainable methodologies. It reminds us that true innovation often lies in working harmoniously with what is available, turning limitations into opportunities for meaningful and impactful design.