The inaugural Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism explored the idea of the “commons” — resources, agencies and technologies shaping sustainable and equitable urbanism worldwide. Rodeo partnered with Government Architect New South Wales (GANSW) and Terroir to design Sydney’s contribution. Our role integrated graphic communication, exhibition design and public engagement strategies, ensuring the work resonated with Biennale visitors and positioned GANSW internationally.

Challenge

The Sydney exhibit needed to express GANSW’s place-based design methodology in a way that engaged Biennale audiences of 1.4 million — spanning the public, industry and government. The challenge was to communicate strategy while creating an installation that matched the architectural ambition of Terroir and the global platform of Zaha Hadid’s Dongdaemun Design Plaza.

Solution

We developed dual-language touchpoints to share GANSW’s frameworks and devised a mirror-finish installation concept. The reflective surface dematerialised the exhibit, blending the venue’s interior with Terroir’s geometric structure, while placing people and their movement at the centre of the experience. This integration of communication, architecture and context elevated engagement and meaning.

Outcomes

The exhibit positioned GANSW as a thought leader in strategic, integrated design on an international stage. It supported Terroir’s architectural vision, amplified awareness of GANSW, and helped establish ongoing relationships with peers in Seoul and other global cities. The project demonstrated the power of design collaboration in addressing rapid urbanisation.

Services
Communication strategy
Branding and identity
Dual-language systems
Exhibition design
Motion design
Signage
Messaging
Project management

Deliverables
Exhibition
Dual-language communications
Mirror-finish concept
Project film
Publication
Style guide
Merchandise
Social assets