Venice Takeaway

Frequently Asked Questions

Following four launch events in London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast, a series of questions were raised about the brief. We are enthusiastic about the interest we have received so far and hope that the questions and answers listed below will help applicants formulate their proposals.

The Brief:

Q1: Why is it necessary to look beyond our own borders?

We believe that there is much to be gained from sharing ideas and skills internationally. The UK has benefitted from having designers from overseas come here to study, live and work. We also think that we can learn from looking at the way architecture is commissioned, planned and built overseas. Venice Takeaway is a mirror of the Venice Biennale itself – an opportunity to be inspired by and learn from architecture from around the world

Q2: Is the British Council advocating cultural colonialism?

We are not encouraging the projection of British ideals onto other countries, but hope to highlight the potential of ideas from abroad into Britain.

Q3: Why is the British Council not supporting the best emerging practices?

Venice Takeaway is about the broader culture of architecture – who and what makes good architecture possible. We hope that Venice Takeaway will help foster a culture in which there are greater opportunities for emerging practices. We also recognise that research and observation (as well as design) are important parts of what an architect does.

The Proposal:

Q1: Can applicants propose to study the broader context of architecture, for example, infrastructure, the environment and urban planning?

Absolutely! We would like to encourage applicants to consider a variety of possible fields, locations and scales. As long as you can show why your field of study is relevant to the British context, we will consider the proposal.

Q2: Can explorers choose to study negative examples: i.e. how not to approach something?

Our hope is to identify constructive lessons for British architecture. If a constructive observation can be drawn from what originally started out as a ‘negative’ study, we would be happy to consider it. If, however, it is a simple finger pointing exercise of ‘look how badly that was done’, then no, it is unlikely to be selected.

Q3: Could topics of study be historic or do they have to be contemporary?

So long as applicants can illustrate how historic examples or bodies of study can be relevant today, they will be considered.

Q4: Can the field of study be in a series of different countries?

Yes. However, it should be considered that we are looking for explorers who are able to research their proposal in detail, and within the specified budget.

Q5: How will the final ten explorers be chosen?

We are selecting explorers on the strength of the proposal (judged according to the criteria outlined on page 3 of the brief, and the answers to the questions in point 1 on page 4 of the brief). The length, size and format of the submission is up to you, although we would appreciate concise answers to the questions. We have no preconceptions about the types of projects which we hope to include, whether that is a in the type of applicant (i.e. architectural studio, or architectural student) or the subject of the application (i.e. buildings study or urban study). We will choose the 10 most inspiring proposals

Q6: Can we send a proposal via email?

Yes. However, we ask that the file is not bigger than 5MB.

The Exploration:

Q1: How and when will the £2000 of financial assistance be allocated?

We will work with explorers to plan their trips. Bookings will be made by the British Council and explorers will be given an allowance for subsistence.

Q2: Is £2000 enough to cover a research trip, or are applicants expected to supplement their research trips?

The British Council frequently sends individuals abroad for residencies, and in our experience £2000 is more than enough to cover travel, accommodation, subsistence and expenses for one person for perhaps up to two weeks. Also to clarify, this does not mean travelling rough or staying in hostels (unless someone especially wants to) as the British Council's travel policy requires us to place travellers in at least a 3 star hotel with certain other security measures followed. Unfortunately, we are only able to offer £200 for an honorarium due to budget constraints.

Q3: What other support will the explorers receive?

Where possible we hope to plan trips with the support of British Council offices overseas. This might mean travel advice, introductions and local knowledge of the context.

Q4: The brief says that once commissioned, explorers will be given a kit to guide their explorations, what will this kit include?

Each explorer will use his/her own specific survey kit. This will be developed in collaboration with the explorer and will include basic equipment for documenting the project. The aim is that in designing the survey kits we will begin to develop a clearer understanding of the final results that will eventually be brought back from each exploration.

Q5: In the agreement you ask explorers to not to publish work prior to the Biennale. How will that work if you are encouraging explorers to publish and share experiences via social networking?

We will discuss with explorers the potential for them to publish and share extracts of their experiences exclusively on a series of social network platforms which the British Council will provide. This might include a blog, facebook and twitter domain. The full accounts of their journeys and discoveries will form the content of the show and also appear on Venicetakeway.com once the exhibition has opened on 29 August.

Q6: What kinds of results are explorers expected to bring back from their exploration? Can it be a photographic series, an essay a film?

We are asking applicants to propose how they will document their research, and we are keen to include a variety of media, approaches and techniques – the more imaginative the better. Explorers will meet with the curatorial team before setting off on their exploration so that the approach can be agreed in advance.

The Final Exhibition:

Q1: How will the different explorations will be curated?

Explorers are responsible for producing the raw material of the exhibition. The final selection of work and the way in which it is displayed will be decided through discussion between the explorers and the curators. As with all collective exhibitions, the final decisions must rest with the curators.

Q2: Who will be responsible for design?

Born Design have been appointed as exhibition and graphic designer