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To build and live in the French Pavilion of the Xth Venice Architecture

Biennale / 2016

Architect EXYZT collective (Philippe Rizzotti, president)

Location Venice, Italy

Surface 500 sqm

Mission Core mission + building site

Images Cyrille Weiner ©

Team Philippe Rizzotti, Pier Schneider, François Wunschel, + Exyzt collective

Client Alliance Française for the Xth Biennale d’architecture de Venise

Program Inhabited installation

Budget 250 K€

Status Completed 2006

Certification -

Partners Patrick Bouchain (guest architect and curator)

The contract between Patrick Bouchain, guest architect of the French pavilion and EXYZT led to the idea of an alternative way of showing architecture. After designing, programming and planning, the collective finally realized its project: bringing visitors to an architectural space by no means other than physical and sensitive experiences.

During the 3 weeks of construction and throughout the 3 months, the French pavilion was occupied and transformed into living space. Metavilla is the act of transforming an empty shell into a living place. What is the essence of the act of architecture that offer spaces ready to be tested and appropriate? Other teams were invited to come and occupy the Metavilla and make their home as Raumlabor Berlin, Encore Heureux, Daniel Buren or Lucien Kroll.

More than being an alternative way of "exposing" architecture, Metavilla presents a normal daily life including sleep, washing, meals, work and rest. The public space of an exhibition can become our home: this is “Metavilla”, literally “ put your life here”.

Visitors were welcome to participate in the everyday life of Metavilla: sunbathing in the sun loungers, for a drink or a meal, for a sauna or a shower. Once the EXYZT team leaves, others will keep Metavilla alive.