Exploring the Philosophy of 'Balanced Symbiosis' at Venice Biennale

A Journey Through Eastern Wisdom at the Venice Biennale



The 2025 Venice Biennale promises to be an exciting platform for architectural innovation, and this year, the Architectural Design and Research Institute of Zhejiang University Co., Ltd. (UAD) stands as a significant contributor. In collaboration with the Center for Balance Architecture of Zhejiang University (BAC) and the Zhejiang University Architecture Planning Alliance (ZAP), UAD will present at the parallel exhibition titled "TIME SPACE EXISTENCE (TSE)". This year's theme, "Repair, Regenerate, Reuse", focuses on the transformative power of architecture within the context of sustainability.

From May 10 to November 23, 2025, Venice will host a multitude of architects, artists, and scholars from 52 countries, showcasing groundbreaking architectural proposals and experimental designs. With a total of 207 participants, the exhibition strives to explore how architecture can play a crucial role in ecological restoration and social healing, emphasizing a new perspective on urban living.

'Towards Balance, Towards Symbiosis': UAD's Theme



UAD's participation revolves around the theme "Towards Balance, Towards Symbiosis", which draws from Eastern philosophies to articulate essential ideas of architecture and education. The exhibition urges contemporary architects to go beyond mere design, emphasizing a social responsibility that addresses urban development, citizen needs, and social fairness. This approach situates architecture as a critical tool in societal governance.

The influential teachings of Chinese philosophy resonate throughout the exhibition, suggesting that the world is in a continuous state of dynamic balance. Unlike views that advocate for disruption of this balance, UAD promotes harmonious coexistence among seemingly contradictory elements. This concept of symbiosis presents refreshing insights into tackling social issues, encouraging collaboration rather than division.

The Principles of Balance Architecture



UAD's "Balance Architecture" embodies traditional Confucian ideals such as the "unity of knowledge and action" and the importance of being people-oriented. This philosophy aligns with materialist dialectics, inviting a more profound understanding of the relationship between design subjects and objects.

At its core, Balance Architecture centers on the value of human experience, with goals that highlight "ad locum symbiosis"—the idea of finding the right fit, striving for relevance, and fostering interactive responsiveness within architectural practice. The exploration focuses on resolving three primary architectural questions: utility, firmness, and beauty. Each of these is regarded as pairs of conflicts: engineering vs. humanity, regulation vs. expression, and technology vs. artistry.

UAD delineates three primary paths of "symbiosis" involving:
  • - Engineering and Humanity: By balancing these two aspects, values can be clarified and rationality can align with emotion.
  • - Regulation and Expression: It encourages the construction of a logic that merges norms with forms, offering insight into the relationship between rules and creative expression.
  • - Technology and Artistry: This juxtaposition promotes a synthesis of technical skills and artistic endeavor, exploring aesthetics that culminate from a harmonious convergence of these dimensions.

A Multi-faceted Approach to Architectural Practice



The exhibition embodies a concrete practice of "Balance Architecture", underlining a dynamic equilibrium among all elements of the built environment. This harmonious interplay with society, culture, tradition, urbanity, and nature shapes a collaborative atmosphere where the architectural narrative helps restore balance among the themes of "Repair, Regenerate, and Reuse".

As we anticipate the opening of this exceptional exhibition, UAD's vision of architectural practice combines the wisdom of the East with the imperatives of the modern world. The Venice Biennale stands as a conduit for such rich discourses, making it an unmissable event for those invested in sustainable and socially responsible architecture.

Join us in Venice this May as we embark on this enlightening exploration of architecture's potential to redefine our existence through balanced symbiotic relationships.

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