The Philippine Pavilion at the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale, featuring the “Soil-Beings” (Soil-beings / Lamánlupa) exhibition curated by artistic director Renan Laru-An, aims to reinterpret the relationship between architecture and soil from a fresh perspective. In this exhibition, soil is presented not merely as a raw construction material but as a living entity carrying history, memory, and cultural and environmental significance.
In this project, Laru-An seeks to pose a fundamental question: Can architecture be built with the Earth rather than on it? The exhibition aims to demonstrate that soil is more than just a backdrop or foundation for architecture; it can be considered an active and ethical force within the design process.
The “Soil-Beings” exhibition is the result of a series of local research projects and workshops conducted across various regions of the Philippines, including Metro Manila, Batangas, Lete, and South Cotabato. The main section of the pavilion, located in Venice’s Arsenale, features a large-scale art installation composed of approximately one thousand soil tiles. Each tile contains a sample of soil from different parts of the Philippines, collectively reflecting the country’s ecological and cultural diversity.
Alongside this installation, an artwork titled “Terrarium” by artist Cristin Tenfrancia Ili is presented. This piece recreates natural processes such as erosion and microclimatic changes, providing a multisensory experience for visitors. Its aim is to encourage the audience to perceive soil not merely as a surface to stand on or build upon, but as a living entity actively participating in everyday life and architecture.
The Philippine Pavilion at the 2025 Biennale, under the direction of Renan Laru-An, conveys a clear message: the architecture of the future must move beyond a purely human-centered perspective and establish a more ethical and symbiotic relationship with the Earth and its soil. “Soil-Beings” is, in essence, an invitation to rethink the role of the Earth in shaping architecture and urbanism—an essential consideration for environmental sustainability and the shared future of humanity and nature.