Build of Site at the Danish Pavilion during the Venice Architecture Biennale presents a unique approach to renovation and reuse. Instead of building anew, the project focuses on transforming and upgrading the existing pavilion by repurposing surplus materials uncovered during the renovation process. The Danish Pavilion, which has been affected by flooding, outdated infrastructure, and indoor climate issues, is being carefully renovated to address these problems while serving as a living exhibition space.

The renovation process began in December 2024 and is scheduled to finish after the 2025 Architecture Biennale. During this period, the pavilion takes on a hybrid form - part exhibition, part construction site - allowing visitors to experience the ongoing transformation firsthand. Materials like wood, limestone, concrete, and soil are meticulously studied and reused, with innovative methods such as mixing gelatin with excavated sand to create furniture and surfaces. Non-destructive testing ensures the structural integrity of the reused materials, demonstrating how sustainable practices can be integrated into architectural renovation.

This project emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, combining expertise from architecture, science, and technology. It explores not only how old materials can be given new life but also how such approaches can reshape architectural practices for the future. The renovation primarily focuses on the section of the pavilion built in the 1950s, revealing prototypes, studies, and background information through films and exhibitions. Accompanying the project is a publication featuring an extended dialogue about materiality and sustainable architecture, emphasizing the importance of rethinking how we build and renovate our environment.

Build of Site invites audiences to reflect on the potential of existing structures, promoting a more sustainable, innovative, and responsible approach to architecture - one that recognizes the value of what has already been built and explores new possibilities for reuse.