Created for the 19th International Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia curated by Carlo Ratti, Ancient Future: Bridging Bhutan’s Tradition and Innovation brings to life the design of Bhutan’s new Gelephu International Airport, celebrating how the rich cultural tradition of Bhutanese woodcarving can be scaled by modern technology. The exhibition showcases Bhutanese artisans Sangay Thsering and Yeshi Gyeltshen, assisted by machines, hand-carving intricate designs into wooden beams that will be used in the airport’s diagrid architecture. Accompanying the live demonstration, a documentary by Laurian Ghinitoiu and Arata Mori provides an intimate portrait of the creative process behind the exhibition.

Ancient Future responds to Biennale Architettura 2025’s theme, Intelligens. Natural. Artificial. Collective., inviting viewers to imagine a new evolution of craft – one that moves beyond preservation and ensures Bhutan’s history inspires future generations. This co-creation between man and machine begins with four 3.5-m-long glulam timber beams produced in Denmark, which together form a 1:1 prototype of the diamond pattern found within the Gelephu International Airport. While two beams are hand-carved by Bhutanese artisans using traditional techniques, the remaining two are carved by a robotic milling arm mirroring the craftsmen’s designs – proving that man and machine can co-exist to inspire a future built on the past.

Through alternating sequences, the documentary by Laurian Ghinitoiu and Arata Mori juxtaposes human and robotic gestures; their colors, movements, and sounds subtly echoing one another while highlighting the inherent differences between the two. This interplay of movements and sounds is interspersed with real-world footage from Bhutan, including the country’s traditional music, architecture, and dance, to create a visual choreography that speaks to the potential of human and algorithmic synergies.

The symbol of the dragon lies at the heart of the carvings, reflecting Bhutan’s strong national identity and embodying protection, power, divine authority, and a bridge between the spiritual and material realms. For the exhibition, three unique dragons were created by established Bhutanese artists to symbolize Bhutan’s past, present, and future. The past is represented by a traditional dragon clutching jewels, reflecting the nation’s abundant natural beauty and the leadership of its monarchs; the present features a dragon holding a Buddhist Dharma Wheel, capturing Bhutan’s current transformative moment through the Gelephu Mindfulness City project and its connection to the Four Dignities; and the future envisions a dragon bearing the Double Vajra – embodying stability, resilience, and holistic vision while emphasizing the importance of spiritual harmony, adaptability, and visionary growth for Bhutan’s continued evolution.

Rather than viewing tradition and innovation as opposing forces, Ancient Future invites viewers to imagine a future where the two are interwoven, each strengthening the other without compromise. By harnessing robotic technology to scale intricate human designs, the exhibition unlocks a new path forward – one that preserves the soul of the craftsmanship yet boldly shapes what lies ahead.

Ancient Future would not have been made possible without the team at Integrated Wood Processing Plant in Thimphu – Sangay Thsering, Yeshi Gyeltshen, Tashi Penjor, Ngawang Tshomo, Ugyen Doya, and Tshewang Tezinproject – and project supporters The Bhutan Foundation, Pro Bhutan e.V., Roca, Schindler, Rockwool, Artemide, Tvitec | Cricursa, Vitra, Squint/Opera, NACO, StructureCraft, and Turner Construction, with special thanks to the Royal Government of Bhutan and La Biennale Architettura 2025.

Ancient Future: Bridging Bhutan’s Tradition and Innovation is on view at the Arsenale di Venezia until November 23rd, 2025.