Frequently Asked Questions
Can you provide a link to ‘create an account’?
We have updated the submission site:
If you click “Start Application” on the portal landing page under the Action header, it will take you to a menu where you can create a new account.
From there, you can create a new account and begin the application process.
Could you please share an example of a past winning entry for our reference?
As this is the first instance of the Open Call for projects, there are no ‘past winning entries’ available for reference.
Should the submission include an actual design of the proposed installation or renderings/drawings/photos of the built project in America, or both?
Regarding your submission, it only needs to include 'renderings/drawings/photos of the built project' not a design proposal for the actual exhibit.
Can you please provide more details about the “fully constructed exhibits” to be created by selected participants? (E.g. are physical models, display furniture, or other 3D components required, in addition to 2D boards showing images? Is there an assigned amount of space for each exhibit?)
While there will be an ‘assigned amount of space for each exhibit’, precise information won't be provided until the second phase for selected participants.
Will the cost of round-trip transportation for fully constructed exhibits (i.e. fine art crating, packing, shipping) from the US to Venice be covered by the Pavilion commissioners, in addition to the “modest stipend” provided for exhibit production?
The “modest stipend” is intended primarily to support the fabrication of the final exhibit. Costs of shipping will be addressed as part of Phase 2, and further information will be forthcoming at the time of the Phase 2 announcement.
Can project images submitted for the Jan 17 Phase One round later be replaced by updated versions for the March 31 Phase Two final displays and exhibition promotion? (We are hoping to replace renderings with final photography, which won’t be available until March.)
Yes. Project images submitted for the Jan 17 Phase One round can indeed be replaced by updated versions for the March 31 Phase Two final displays and exhibition promotion.
One of the submission guidelines is:
"projects must be public and civic in nature, therefore ‘confidential’ projects are ineligible"
Are we allowed to submit a porch project for a house as long as the project is not confidential?
Since ‘projects must be public and civic in nature,’ private, residential homes will not be considered even if they are not confidential.
Can you please clarify what a 'confidential' project refers to? Does this relate to the client?
The criteria that ‘projects must be public and civic in nature’ is to ensure public access to the featured work. It does not refer to the client. For instance, if a confidential client commissioned a public building, that is acceptable and eligible.
Can a project be a residential home that engages with the concepts around the 'porch' or are you after public civic projects only?
Since ‘projects must be public and civic in nature,’ private, residential homes will not be considered.
Can you please clarify if you are expecting us to submit a design proposal for the actual exhibit or just submit photographs, plans, drawings etc of our chosen built project and how we understand this to relate to the concept of the Porch?
Regarding your submission, it only needs to include 'renderings/drawings/photos of the built project' not a design proposal for the actual exhibit.
Under “Eligibility” it states that you invite entrants “to submit design proposals” and later it states, "Projects that are theoretical, unbuilt, or under construction are ineligible.”
The open call website has been updated to clarify.
Under “Eligibility” it states that you invite entrants “to submit design proposals” and later it states, "Projects that are theoretical, unbuilt, or under construction are ineligible.”
The open call website has been updated to clarify:
"We invite architects, landscape architects, designers and artists, design firms, practices, nonprofits, public agencies and individuals nationwide to submit built project or projects that express and interpret the ethos of PORCH and its principles within the building. Each submission may include a single project or multiple projects that meet the eligibility criteria."
Our building is currently under construction - the exterior verandas will likely only be finished at the end of March 2025 (and that may push into April). The building is due to open in September 2025. Would we be eligible for qualifying?
Yes, the project is eligible for submission, but preference will be given to completed projects.
Is it possible to submit a themed body of built work, rather than a singular project?
The open call website has been updated to clarify:
"We invite architects, landscape architects, designers and artists, design firms, practices, nonprofits, public agencies and individuals nationwide to submit built project or projects that express and interpret the ethos of PORCH and its principles within the building. Each submission may include a single project or multiple projects that meet the eligibility criteria."
Is it possible to submit in both the current category as well as the US schools of architecture and design?
Yes, it is possible to submit in both the current category and in the architecture school category.
Does the "Projects must have been completed since 2000" apply to all project types?
Yes, projects of all types must have been completed since 2000.
In the Open Call document, under Eligibility, it states that entrants are allowed to submit ONE proposal – can this proposal include more than one project or is the rule one project per firm?
The open call website has been updated to clarify:
"We invite architects, landscape architects, designers and artists, design firms, practices, nonprofits, public agencies and individuals nationwide to submit built project or projects that express and interpret the ethos of PORCH and its principles within the building. Each submission may include a single project or multiple projects that meet the eligibility criteria."
Will it be displayed as a presentation board at the event? I can’t tell what the final show and different people’s involvement might look like.
While there will be an ‘assigned amount of space for each exhibit’, precise information won't be provided until the second phase for selected participants. However, it's safe to say it won't be limited to printed boards.
While organizations (Neighborhood Design Center) cannot be made identifiable in submitted materials, can the program (Youth CoLab) associated with the project we are featuring be referenced? Or would this disqualify us as well?
No identifying marks or references should be included, including clients, local city agencies, community boards, etc.
A major component of the documentation and storytelling of our project was through a video produced by one of the project leads, however, nowhere in the Open Call are multimedia submissions mentioned. If selected, could this potentially be included in the exhibition itself? We believe this deliverable provides the appropriate platform for youth to directly share their experience having contributed to this project.
The ambition is for the exhibits emerging from Phase 2 to be as visually engaging and as tactile as possible, without reliance on digital media or projections.
What are the expectations regarding model work submitted? Is this another component that could be included if selected for inclusion in the exhibition? Or is it possible to have this be a part of our initial proposal to the Open Call submission?
Photos of models can be included in the initial submission, but physical models may not. However, if that submission is selected as a finalist, physical models may be included in the actual exhibition but are not necessarily required.
Our work, while academic, has all been completed and seems more appropriate for the current open call for professionals. Would it be possible to submit the proposal for the first open call and allow the jury to shift the project to the student section if that is more appropriate? Or can I submit the proposal twice? Do you anticipate amending your student section to include completed work from design-build programs?
Yes, please submit a project for the first open call as completed works from academic design-build programs are encouraged. If not selected, you are welcome to submit to the later call for academic projects.
It is stated that "projects must be public and civic in nature." Is this to be interpreted that all projects must be commissioned by a public agency or non-profit organization? Is a project that is commercial and commissioned by a business organization eligible?
The criteria that ‘projects must be public and civic in nature’ is to ensure public access to the featured work, not that it must be commissioned by a public agency or non-profit. Projects commissioned by a business organization are eligible so long as they offer reasonable public access.
The call mentions submitting "design proposals" but also specifies that all work to be built. Are the design proposals meant to be exhibitions of the built work? If it is, an exhibition proposal would need information about a wall area, floor area, etc within the US pavilion, which has not been provided.
The open call website has been updated to clarify:
"We invite architects, landscape architects, designers and artists, design firms, practices, nonprofits, public agencies and individuals nationwide to submit built project or projects that express and interpret the ethos of PORCH and its principles within the building. Each submission may include a single project or multiple projects that meet the eligibility criteria."
Regarding your submission, it only needs to include 'renderings/drawings/photos of the built project' not a design proposal for the actual exhibit.
In the "Upload Materials for Jury Review", it mentions a proposal submitted with a PDF, but following that paragraph it mentions portfolios. Are the proposals and portfolios the same-- documentation of a single built work?
Proposals and portfolios are the same.
What variety of final exhibitions formats does the curatorial team expect to show—i.e. collage, photos, plans, mixed media, video, etc.? Is the format proposed by the submitters or decided upon by the curatorial team?
Precise information about the final exhibition format will be determined by the curatorial team but won't be provided until the second phase for selected participants. The ambition is for the exhibits emerging from Phase 2 to be as visually engaging and as tactile as possible, without reliance on digital media or projections.
Will the final exhibition include written components describing each project?
The final exhibition may include written components, though the precise length or nature has yet to be determined.
Is there a correlation between the 50 selected participants and US states, or is there more information the curators can provide on selection criteria based on geography?
There is no direct correlation between the 50 projects and the 50 states. The ambition is to have as diverse a representation of American architecture and design as possible (not simply one exhibitor from each of the 50 states).
How broadly can the definition of "porch" be interpreted—i.e. could a collection of buildings distributed across a park be eligible rather than a single structure?
A collection of buildings can be submitted rather than a single structure, and the open call website has been updated to clarify:
"We invite architects, landscape architects, designers and artists, design firms, practices, nonprofits, public agencies and individuals nationwide to submit built project or projects that express and interpret the ethos of PORCH and its principles within the building. Each submission may include a single project or multiple projects that meet the eligibility criteria."
Are you able to share the rough floor dimensions of the final exhibition space?
On that same note, will interactivity be a valued component of submissions?
Precise information about the final exhibition format and characteristics will be determined by the curatorial team but won't be provided until the second phase for selected participants. The ambition is for the exhibits emerging from Phase 2 to be as visually engaging and as tactile as possible, without reliance on digital media or projections.
Are you able to give a rough estimate of the stipend offered to selected participants? Are shipping costs and travel costs covered in this amount?
The “modest stipend” is intended primarily to support the fabrication of the final exhibit. Costs of shipping will be addressed as part of Phase 2, and further information will be forthcoming at the time of the Phase 2 announcement.
Our project was a collaboration with local city agencies and community boards. We understand that our submission should be anonymous as to the designer; can we name our agency or community collaborators in the January 17th submittal, or are they to be anonymous as well?
No identifying marks or references should be included, including clients, local city agencies, community boards, etc
Should the January 17th submittal include proposed exhibit design within the pavilion, or will exhibit requirements be addressed if-and-when we are selected for the Biennale?
Regarding your submission, it only needs to include 'renderings/drawings/photos of the built project' not a design proposal for the actual exhibit.
Our proposed project was one of three related civic/community endeavors we completed with city agencies and community boards in response to Covid, each different in scope and program. Is it helpful to mention these, or should the entry solely focus on the one project?
A collection of buildings or endeavors can be submitted rather than a single structure, and the open call website has been updated to clarify:
"We invite architects, landscape architects, designers and artists, design firms, practices, nonprofits, public agencies and individuals nationwide to submit built project or projects that express and interpret the ethos of PORCH and its principles within the building. Each submission may include a single project or multiple projects that meet the eligibility criteria."
However, no identifying marks or references should be included, including clients, local city agencies, community boards, etc.
Should our submittal be selected, will we have the opportunity to provide press-ready versions of the images/photos/diagrams included in our submittal?
Yes.
The work I am interested in submitting includes several furniture seating works and woven textile designs. Are objects and objects of this scale appropriate for a submission proposal?
The submission is eligible, and you are encouraged to submit.
Is there a requirement to include a proposal for the design of the exhibition, the environment for which the work will be in the porch typology context of the call?
Your submission only needs to include 'renderings/drawings/photos of the built project' not a design proposal for the actual exhibit.
Our team has completed the multiyear development of an innovative and patented chair that would be a terrific addition for display in/on the PORCH. This chair epitomizes American design values and would continue a long tradition of innovations in American furniture being included in historically significant exhibitions, such as the Winfield Rocking Chair at the Crystal Palace in 1851. I would like to confirm that this would be an acceptable submission for the 2025 United States Pavilion.
The submission is eligible, and you are encouraged to submit.
I have a body of work which falls under an umbrella of one large idea with two subset projects spanning off of the larger idea. One of the subsidiary projects I have completed on my own, the other is a collaboration. I read in the PORCH call that the submission may include multiple projects. How should I approach this since I am on both projects, but the other artist is only on one?
The projects can be submitted together. Please clearly identify the artist’s involvement as needed to clarify your role and theirs.
Who constructs the exhibit? If it is required of exhibitors, are there requirements for who can be hired for the installation and construction of the exhibit?
Participants (exhibitors) are responsible for constructing their exhibit. There are no requirements for who can be hired to construct the exhibit. Exhibits will be installed by the PORCH Team in Venice. Participants will not install the exhibits.
Can an entry be for an American project located on a US base other than the 50 states and the territories defined in the rules?
Yes, projects on US bases outside the States and Territories are eligible.
While the project is still under development and not yet completed, bids for construction are being issued now. I’m reaching out to inquire if it’s possible to submit this project for award consideration despite its current status.
Yes, the project is eligible for submission, but preference will be given to completed projects.
If we were to propose a small build-out of our project (at our cost) at the pavilion, would that be acceptable within our January 17th submittal?
Yes, the project is eligible for submission, but preference will be given to completed projects.
Will the team consider proposals for installations on-site at the biennale that serve as commentary on an existing project or architectural condition that is not authored by the proposing party?
The focus is on original work rather than on the critique of others, but you are welcome to submit.