The British Council has opened a UK–Malaysia collaborative call for a Practitioner Team to design the British Pavilion exhibition at the 2026 Venice Architecture Biennale. The commission seeks innovative architectural responses to climate, environmental and social justice challenges. A £25,000 fee for the Lead Practitioner and an indicative £200,000 production budget support the delivery.

Open Call: UK–Malaysia Practitioner Team for the British Pavilion at the 2026 Venice Architecture Biennale

Overview

The British Council is inviting proposals from a collaborative UK–Malaysia architectural Practitioner Team to design and deliver the British Pavilion exhibition for the 20th International Architecture Exhibition at the Venice Architecture Biennale. The project emphasises architectural solutions to global challenges including the climate emergency, environmental degradation and social justice.

The selected team will deliver a high-quality, globally relevant exhibition that informs architectural practice in the UK, Malaysia, Southeast Asia and internationally.

Key Objectives of the Commission

• Address how architecture can respond to global climate and environmental crises.

• Explore themes of social justice within the built environment.

• Strengthen UK–Malaysia collaboration and knowledge exchange.

• Produce an exhibition capable of influencing regional and global architectural practice.

• Develop conceptual, creative, and technical design outputs tailored for Venice Biennale audiences.

Funding and Support

Lead Practitioner Fee

• £25,000 participation fee

• Paid in four instalments tied to:

  1. Signing agreements

  2. Submitting design packages

  3. Opening the exhibition

  4. Closing the exhibition

Production Budget

• Approximately £200,000 managed by the British Council

• Covers:

  • Exhibition content and fabrication

  • Visual and spatial design

  • Technical requirements

  • Travel, installation, de-installation

  • Building preparation

  • Marketing assets

  • Opening events

Who Is Eligible?

Lead Practitioner Requirements

• Must reside or work in the UK

• Must be affiliated with a UK VAT-registered organisation

• Serves as curator and main point of contact

• Receives and distributes the participation fee

Practitioner Team Requirements

A valid team must include:

• At least one UK partner

• At least one Malaysian partner

• A mix of professionals experienced in exhibition development, such as:

  • Architects

  • Exhibition designers

  • Curators

  • Artists

  • Educators

  • Researchers

  • Built environment practitioners

What the Team Will Deliver

The successful team is responsible for:

• Full design development from concept to technical stages

• Creative and curatorial storytelling

• Exhibition texts and interpretive materials

• Digital content and public programming

• Communication and stakeholder engagement

• Coordination during fabrication, installation, and post-exhibition closure

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit a complete package, including:

• Written exhibition proposal

• Creative visual proposal

• CVs of all team members

• Team structure outline

• Budget spreadsheet

• Relevant forms and declarations

• Previous project examples

Incomplete applications or those lacking a UK–Malaysia partnership will be automatically disqualified.

How to Apply: Step-by-Step

1. Form a UK–Malaysia collaborative Practitioner Team.

2. Nominate a Lead Practitioner who meets UK residency and VAT-registered affiliation requirements.

3. Develop a concept that clearly addresses climate, environmental and social justice themes.

4. Prepare written and visual proposals with strong conceptual clarity.

5. Outline team roles, responsibilities and expertise.

6. Build a realistic budget aligned with the British Council’s production resources.

7. Compile the full submission package.

8. Submit before the 14 January 2026 deadline.

Assessment Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated on:

• Eligibility and compliance with requirements

• Clarity and strength of conceptual ideas

• Quality and originality of creative design

• Feasibility within the budget and timeline

• Team capability and relevant experience

Timeline

• 14 January 2026: Submission deadline

• 28 January 2026: Proposal review

• February 2026: Interviews with shortlisted teams

• Late February 2026: Feedback and appointment letter

• March 2026: Final acceptance

• April 2026: Public announcement of selected team

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Failing to include both UK and Malaysian partners

• Submitting incomplete documentation

• Overly complex concepts without feasible delivery plans

• Budgets that exceed achievable limits

• Weak or unclear thematic interpretation

• Lack of demonstrated exhibition design experience

Why This Opportunity Matters

• Provides international exposure at one of the world’s most influential architecture events

• Strengthens cross-cultural collaboration between the UK and Malaysia

• Encourages innovative approaches to climate and social justice issues

• Contributes to global architectural discourse and public engagement

• Offers funding, institutional support and creative freedom

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can the Lead Practitioner be based outside the UK?
No. The Lead Practitioner must be resident or working in the UK and affiliated with a UK VAT-registered practice.

2. Is it mandatory to have both UK and Malaysian partners?
Yes. Proposals without this partnership structure will be disqualified.

3. What types of practitioners can be part of the team?
Architects, curators, exhibition designers, artists, educators, researchers and other built environment professionals with exhibition experience.

4. Does the £200,000 production budget go directly to the team?
No. The British Council manages the production budget, while the team receives the £25,000 Lead Practitioner fee and support for associated costs.

5. What themes should the proposal address?
Climate emergency, environmental challenges and social justice, framed through architectural responses.

6. Are travel and installation costs covered?
Yes. Additional budgets will support travel, installation, de-installation and related expenses.

7. When will the final selected team be announced?
April 2026.

Conclusion

This open call from the British Council offers a significant opportunity for a UK–Malaysia collaborative team to shape the British Pavilion at the 2026 Venice Architecture Biennale. With strong funding, clear thematic priorities and global visibility, the commission supports innovative architectural work that responds to urgent planetary and social challenges. Teams that demonstrate creativity, feasibility and cross-cultural collaboration will be best positioned to succeed.