We sat down with Leong Leong Architecture, designers of the US Pavilion at the 2014 Venice Biennale to discuss their concept for OfficeUS. Commissioned by Storefront for Art and Architecture, Leong Leong was tasked with designing a temporary and multi-functional space for architectural practice and exhibition. The minimal, airy US Pavilion features over 1000 projects designed by American architects abroad, set amongst a functional office space.
Seated in the work space of one of the "partners" and surrounded by a steady stream of visitors, Dominic Leong described the design process: "The mission of the project was to generally try to understand modernism in relationship to architectural office." The firm strived to adapt the space in keeping with the Biennale theme of "Absorbing Modernity" set by Rem Koolhaas: "A large part of our design was to reconfigure the perception of a very neoclassical building - the US Pavilion." Leong added: "The project was boiled down into two main components: the repository and history of architecture researched by the curators, and an architectural office which was conceived as a prototype for a new mode of architectural production."
Take a look at the full interview to find out more about Leong Leong Architecture and their concept for the US Pavilion. Make sure to check out our full coverage of the US Pavilion at the 2014 Venice Biennale here.
