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At the Dutch Pavilion huge curtains move around the space to create differently shaped enclosures (photo by Rob 't Hart)
The curtains are attached to a system of motorised cogs that feed them around tracks on the ceiling
Transparent, translucent and opaque fabrics are stitched together to create the curtains, providing different levels of opacity
At the Polish Pavilion the walls and floor shake like they would during an earthquake
The vibrations are caused by the acoustic reverberations in the room, heightened by slopes on the floor and one of the walls
At the Russian Pavilion QR codes cover every surface inside the top floor (photo by Patricia Parinejad)
Visitors decode each symbol using tablet computers to explore ideas for a new city dedicated to science (photo by Patricia Parinejad)
At the Israeli Pavilion visitors enter through a gift shop, where objects reference historical events in the country's relationship with the USA (photo by Florian Holzherr)
Upstairs the same objects are used to provide a commentary on sociopolitical issues in Israel (photo by Florian Holzherr)
The Japanese Pavilion present alternative housing concepts for those whose homes were destroyed in the earthquake and tsunami of 2011
Models are each displayed on tree-trunk tables, which resonate with the wooden columns that divide the space

Dezeen's top five pavilions at the Venice Architecture Biennale 2012

Amy Frearson | 29 August 2012 Leave a comment

Slideshow feature: Dezeen architecture reporter Amy Frearson selects her top five pavilions from the Giardini at the Venice Architecture Biennale in this slideshow, including the shape-shifting Dutch pavilion and an earthquake in an empty room.

Other exhibitions at the biennale include a huge pleated metal funnel by Zaha Hadid and an archive of local authority-designed buildings presented by OMA.

See all our stories from the biennale here and watch our interview with director David Chipperfield here.

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