The year 2025 became a turning point for architecture from the Global South as pavilions and installations at major international events transformed from simple national displays into powerful statements about culture, memory, and social change. At the Venice Architecture Biennale, Expo Osaka, and Triennale di Milano, projects from countries across Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East challenged traditional Western perspectives on design and construction. These works introduced fresh narratives that combined ancestral knowledge with contemporary innovation, creating spaces that were both visually striking and socially meaningful.

The Philippines made a strong impression at Expo Osaka 2025 with a pavilion designed by Carlo Calma Consultancy that showcased the nation's traditional weaving craft. More than one thousand strands of rattan and 212 handwoven panels, created by artisans from different regions, formed the structure's walls and roof. This approach turned an ancient craft into modern architecture while symbolizing national unity and environmental awareness. The pavilion celebrated the country's biodiversity through natural materials and immersive experiences, demonstrating how traditional skills can address today's sustainability challenges.

Brazil's contribution to the Venice Architecture Biennale, designed by Plano Coletivo, focused on connecting Amazonian indigenous knowledge with modern urban problems. The pavilion featured a minimalist design built from wood, stones, and steel cables that appeared to float above the ground. This suspended structure highlighted the sophisticated ways indigenous communities have managed their environment for centuries. The exhibit encouraged visitors to rethink development by learning from traditional settlement patterns and environmental practices that have proven effective over generations.

Several pavilions explored themes of heritage and resilience through unique cultural lenses. The Bahrain Pavilion at Expo Osaka, created by Lina Ghotmeh Architecture, drew inspiration from traditional dhow boats that have connected Gulf nations for centuries. Built from about three thousand wooden pieces using precise joinery techniques, the structure emphasized natural ventilation and sustainable building methods. Inside, visitors experienced the country's maritime history through sensory displays. Togo presented its first Venice Biennale pavilion, designed by Studio NEiDA, which examined twentieth-century Togolese architecture and its relevance today. Oman's inaugural Biennale participation, curated by Majeda Alhinai, studied the Sablah, a traditional community gathering space, as a model for creating contemporary shared environments.

Social justice and memory played central roles in several installations. At the Triennale di Milano, Puerto Rican architect Regner Ramos created an installation addressing the murder of Neulisa Alexa Luciano, a Black transgender woman. The work reconstructed three scenarios to show how built environments can contribute to violence against marginalized communities. It received an Honorable Mention for its powerful message about architecture's responsibility to protect vulnerable populations. Meanwhile, Lebanese architect Ala Tannir's installation documented the restoration of a historic Beirut house damaged in the 2020 explosion, earning the Best Installation award.

The 2025 Serpentine Pavilion in London, designed by Bangladeshi architect Marina Tabassum, marked the twenty-fifth anniversary of this prestigious commission. Four wooden capsules with translucent walls surrounded a Ginkgo tree, creating flexible spaces for gathering and reflection. One movable capsule allowed the layout to change throughout the summer. Inspired by the Bengal Delta's architecture, the design emphasized adaptation to climate and community needs. Together, these ten projects from the Global South demonstrated that some of the most innovative and socially relevant architecture is emerging from regions that have traditionally been overlooked, reshaping the global conversation about the future of building and living.