France is preparing for a landmark moment in architectural history as it announces the formation of an unprecedented scientific council to guide the French Pavilion at the 2027 Venice International Architecture Biennale. This extraordinary initiative coincides with the 50th anniversary of France's foundational architecture law, which will be celebrated on January 3, 2027.

The French Institute has launched a call for applications for the curatorial commissariat of the 2027 edition, with submissions accepted until September 22, 2025. This initiative operates under the joint supervision of the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. The application process is open to teams that can demonstrate dual expertise in both curatorial and scenographic competencies.

At the heart of this initiative is an exceptional scientific council comprising five major architectural organizations: the National Council of the Order of Architects (CNOA), the Academy of Architecture, the City of Architecture and Heritage (CAPA), the Network of Architecture Houses (RMA), and the Association of French Architects for Export (AFEX). This council will support both the organizers and the winning curatorial team in addressing the specific themes of this edition, which aims to promote architecture as a political and cultural object serving the general interest.

The 50th anniversary of France's architecture law presents a unique opportunity to showcase lessons learned about territorial identity, housing impact, areas of concern, and crisis management. As collective actions shift from development to stewardship, the central question emerges: What should be architecture's role in the world for the next 50 years?

This anniversary edition will feature several distinctive characteristics. The pavilion's resonance actions will extend internationally while also deploying across French regions in both mainland France and overseas territories. The project must incorporate a decidedly international and European dimension to reach diverse audiences worldwide.

Numerous additional architectural stakeholders will be associated with this comprehensive approach. These include the Federation of Councils for Architecture, Urbanism and Environment (FNCAUE), the Interministerial Mission for the Quality of Public Construction (MIQCP), professional unions including the National Union of Architect Syndicates and the Architecture Syndicate, and various specialized associations such as architects of French buildings and heritage architects.

The initiative will also welcome participation from urban and construction professionals, including urban planners and landscape architects, as well as architect partners. International architectural partners will play a crucial role, including the Council of Architects of Europe (CAE) and the International Union of Architects (UIA).

Architecture carries a strong, committed message: creating and adapting everyone's living environment while providing solutions for the future. Revisiting this foundational legislative text and its contemporary resonances will provide an opportunity to examine public policies in light of climate, cultural, economic, and societal challenges.

France established the principles of ambitious architecture in 1977, declaring that everyone has the right to quality architecture. This principle continues to guide French architectural policy and practice today.

The ambition of this initiative, supported by the architectural ecosystem and the French Institute, is to make the French Pavilion at Venice 2027 a platform for reaffirming the political, cultural, and social dimensions of architecture as a common good and strategic lever in the face of contemporary changes. The goal is to show in order to debate, in the spirit of the Biennale.

Christophe Millet, president and initiator of this unprecedented project, emphasized the significance of this partnership. "The National Council of the Order of Architects is proud to support this partnership and calls on all those who champion architecture of general interest to form their teams and respond to the French Institute's call for applications for the commissariat of the French Pavilion at the 2027 Venice International Architecture Biennale," he stated.

The scientific council calls on all candidates to submit their projects before September 22, 2025. This collaborative approach represents an innovative cross-cutting proposal that brings together the entire French architectural community to create a meaningful presence at one of the world's most prestigious architectural exhibitions.

The 2027 Venice Architecture Biennale French Pavilion will serve as a testament to France's architectural heritage while addressing contemporary challenges and future possibilities. Through this comprehensive initiative, France aims to demonstrate how architecture can serve as both a cultural expression and a practical solution to the complex challenges facing society today.

This unprecedented collaboration between major French architectural institutions reflects the importance placed on creating a cohesive and impactful presentation at the international level. The scientific council's guidance will ensure that the selected curatorial team can effectively communicate France's architectural vision and expertise to a global audience while celebrating five decades of architectural legislation that has shaped the built environment in France and influenced architectural practice worldwide.