Venice Takeaway: Ideas to Change British Architecture presented the work of 10 architectural teams that travelled the world to seek imaginative responses to universal issues in response to the Biennale theme, Common Ground. The exhibition charted their course in Argentina, Brazil, China, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Russia, Thailand and the USA.

Curated by Vanessa Norwood, Head of Exhibitions at the Architectural Association and Vicky Richardson, Director of Architecture, Design, Fashion at the British Council, Venice Takeaway made the case for internationalism and expanding our horizons about what is possible, in the process demonstrating the creative potential of sharing ideas across borders. Previously unpublished research, in the form of photography, drawing, film and objects was displayed in a Research Emporium, while the galleries of the pavilion were given over to Takeaway Proposals, installations and objects that encapsulated the ideas for change.  

Venice Takeaway is the first British Pavilion architecture show to transfer back to Britain where it was updated and redesigned for RIBA, London in 2013 and framed a successful programme of public events. The exhibition stands as a reminder of the important role that observation and thinking play in the design process, taking inspiration from Albert Einstein who said, ‘If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?’