High street of exchanges: call to action

The British Council presents The Garden of Privatised Delights at the British Pavilion for the 17th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia, which runs from 22 May – 21 November 2021 (previews from 20 May) in Venice, Italy. The exhibition explores the role that design and architecture can take in supporting a more inclusive future for our public spaces. Back in 2019, pre-pandemic, we spoke to the British Pavilion designers about their ideas for the exhibition. Fast forward to 2021, and we caught up with them again to discuss how the impact of Covid-19 has reframed the threats to, and debates around, public space. The pandemic has highlighted the crucial role that the high street can play as a social space in British life. We have seen a hopeful response to the crisis, but how can we ensure its future survival? In this film, British Pavilion designers Studio Polpo tell us more about their room in #TheGardenOfPrivatisedDelights, 'High Street of Exchanges'. Explore the exhibition online: https://venicebiennale.britishcouncil... Join the debate: #BritishPavilion