The Polish Pavilion’s exhibition ‘Lares and Penates: On Building a Sense of Security in Architecture’ at the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale presents a thoughtful examination of architecture’s fundamental protective role through an anthropological lens. Curated by Aleksandra Kędziorek with contributions from artists Krzysztof Maniak and Katarzyna Przezwańska alongside architect Maciej Siuda, the project explores how built environments address both practical safety needs and deeper psychological desires for security.
The Polish Pavilion juxtaposes ancient protective rituals like threshold traditions and construction-site garlands with modern safety features like fire alarms nd emergency exits. The exhibition reveals the enduring human need for architectural reassurance across eras. The presentation deliberately avoids digital mediation, instead employing full-scale physical objects and installations that invite direct engagement while highlighting the materiality of protection.