The new bbbAustralian pavilion at the Venice Biennale, designed by renowned Australian architecture practice Denton Corker Marshall, is the first 21st century pavilion in Venice’s Giardini della Biennale.

Conceived as a white box within a black box, the granite clad building combines a contemporary sculptural aesthetic sensitively set into the historic landscape of the Giardini.

The exterior features large operable panels, which may be opened up to show the interior but also to provide natural light. The result is a very flexible design that lends a changing character to the pavilion both externally and internally, providing a myriad of options for exhibiting artists.

The 56th International Art Exhibition runs from 9 May to 22 November 2015.

Photo: John Gollings. Courtesy of the Australia Council for the Arts