GIARDINI DELLA MARINARESSA, Venezia / Italy
(Boat stop Giardini)

RECALL & RESPONSE

OPENING RECEPTION: MAY 10, 2025

ReCall & Response Pavilion

Venice Architecture Biennial 2025

Constructed using modular, sustainably sourced timber, ReCall & Response evokes the form and function of West African drums—symbols of communication, memory, and resilience. Designed for disassembly and reuse, the pavilion embodies principles of sustainability and adaptability. Interactive acoustic elements invite visitors to engage in a dynamic “call and response,” transforming the structure into a performative and communal space. Developed in collaboration with Morgan State University, Tuskegee University, Talking Hands, and R3B, the pavilion reflects a collective, transnational process rooted in cultural preservation and innovation. Digital storytelling, created with the Pan African Heritage Museum in Ghana, explores restitution, creativity, and the enduring legacy of the African Diaspora. More than a static installation, the pavilion is designed to travel and serve future community projects, reinforcing its role as a living archive and cultural bridge. Through material, sound, and story, ReCall & Response channels the rhythm of shared heritage into architectural form.

MAY 10th - NOV 23rd, 2025

“Interactive acoustic elements invite visitors to engage in a dynamic “call and response,” transforming the structure into a performative and communal space.”

STAY TUNED FOR SPECIAL EVENT JUNE 21

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STAY TUNED FOR SPECIAL EVENT JUNE 21 〰️

The origins of this project are inspired by Ghanaian architect Joe Osae-Addo, who invited coleman to participate in curating student work from the seven accredited architecture schools at HBCUs for his pavilion exhibition. This exhibition was designed by Nana Biamah-Ofosu and Bushra Mohamed, who played a crucial role in bringing "The Course of Empire: A Compound House Typology" to life in 2021. coleman's "ReCall & Response" pavilion explores many of the same themes related to African-inspired design.

Reflecting the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennial theme of Repair, Regenerate, and Reuse, the pavilion addresses cultural disjunctions caused by colonization, regenerates creative energies in architecture and design influenced by African and African Diaspora traditions, and prioritizes sustainability. Its modular wood joinery allows for disassembly and reassembly, promoting material efficiency and adaptability. Visitors are invited to interact with the pavilion, generating sounds that evoke the dynamic "call and response" tradition—a hallmark of African communication and unity. This interactivity transforms the pavilion into a performative and architectural space, reinforcing its role as a cultural connection and celebration medium.