Since 1895, the Venice Bienalle remains the leading showcase for contemporary art. It takes place once every two years (with a few breaks) and includes an international art exhibition, an architecture exhibition and festivals of music, dance, and theater – as well as the Venice Film Festival.

This weekend the Official Awards of the 12th International Architecture Exhibition have been announced during the official ceremony and. The international jury has decided to reward the following participants:

• Golden Lion for the best National Participation to the Kingdom of Bahrain
• Golden Lion of the best project of the Exhibition People meet in architecture to junya.ishigami+associates
• Silver Lion for a young promising participant of the Exhibition People meet in architecture to OFFICE Kersten Geers David Van Severen + Bas Princen

Furthermore special mentions were awarded to Amateur Architecture Studio, Studio Mumbai Architects and Piet Oudolf. Architect and urbanist Rem Koolhaas can add the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement to his already extensive list of prices and awards.