Greenhouse: Mónica de Miranda

Greenhouse was the Portuguese representation at the 60th International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia, conceived by artist-curators Mónica de Miranda, Sónia Vaz Borges, and Vânia Gala. Situated at the intersection of artistic practice, research, and pedagogy, the project explored the concept of the Creole Garden as a spatial and political framework through which to address ecology, memory, resistance, and collective forms of inhabitation.

Paulo Moreira Architectures was responsible for the exhibition design, developing both the overall spatial strategy and the individual architectural elements that structured the exhibition. Installed at Palazzo Franchetti in Venice, the project was organised around four interconnected actions – Garden, Living Archive, Schools, and Assemblies – which together created an environment for performances, public programmes, screenings, and collective encounters.

The exhibition design emerged from an extensive process, investigating how architecture could spatialise the values embodied by the Creole Garden. Historically maintained by enslaved populations in colonial territories, these gardens functioned as spaces of subsistence, autonomy, cultural exchange, and ecological diversity. The project translated its principles into a series of inhabitable sculptures capable of supporting artworks, plants, performances, discussions, and evolving forms of public life.