ui/ux Design
Venice Biennale
The 2014 Biennale, titled Fundamentals, comprised three interlocking exhibitions: Elements of Architecture in the Central Pavilion, Monditalia in the Arsenale, and Absorbing Modernity: 1914–2014 in the National Pavilions. Together, they offered a comprehensive exploration of architecture’s past, present, and future—examining its essential components, cultural narratives, and global transformations over the past century.
Team
Patricia, Joyce, Arielle, Jenise, Gurmastak
Date
August 2024
Timeline
3.5 weeks
This project involved designing a conceptual microsite for the Fundamentals exhibition at the 2014 Venice Architecture Biennale, exploring how digital media can interpret and extend the experience of an architectural exhibition. In addition, we developed a series of graphic assets rooted in a cohesive identity system—a visual "DNA" that could be creatively recombined across various formats while maintaining visual and formal alignment.
Our design was deeply influenced by the visual philosophy of Dutch designer Karel Martens, particularly his use of opacity, closure, and monochromatic image treatments. These principles guided both the site’s aesthetic and interactive decisions, resulting in a media-rich digital space that reflects the exhibition’s core themes of architectural history, transformation, and foundational elements.
Layered Monochrome Imagery
Utilized overlapping monochrome images with varying opacities to reflect the exhibition’s layered narratives. On the landing page, images zoom in on hover for an added sense of depth and interaction.Interactive Hover Effects
For the Monditalia and Absorbing Modernity sections, hover interactions on the side menu leave a trail of visual "footprints," reinforcing the idea of movement through space and time.Grid-Based Layout & Transitions
Employed a dynamic grid system to structure content across the site. On the loading screen, randomized animated images appear in a grid. Clicking into sections from the landing page triggers a grid-based animated image collage, creating a seamless and engaging transition.