Beyond the Pavilion – portraits of architects: Patrick Genard

Directed by Mister Emma, the documentary Beyond the Pavilion explores the careers of five Walloon architects who have helped to promote Belgian creativity through the design of national pavilions for major exhibitions. Five unique trajectories and a common challenge: to represent Belgium on the international stage through forward-looking architecture.

The film highlights architectural visions that are both unique and complementary, underpinned by issues of sustainability, innovation, and identity. Through scenes of everyday life and reflections on the act of building, it offers a sensitive look at contemporary Walloon architecture and its place in global debates.

Patrick Genard, between Belgium and Catalonia

Among the architects highlighted is Patrick Genard, whose career and achievements are the subject of one of the film's portraits.

Born in Belgium and long established in Girona (Catalonia), Patrick Genard embodies a unique profile: an expatriate architect who has built bridges between Belgian architectural culture and the Mediterranean context.

Beyond the Pavilion takes us from the banks of the Meuse to Spain, via the projects that have marked his career: an immersion in the architect's world, exploring his approach to his profession, his vision of architecture, and his international commitment.

A look back at the 2015 Milan World Expo

To create this portrait, the director traveled to Barcelona, where he was able to visit Patrick Genard's home and two of his major projects.

The journey continues in Namur, Belgium, with images of the Belgian pavilion designed for the 2015 Milan World Expo and reinstalled on site. Since then, the building has been transformed and now houses KIKK, a center dedicated to digital culture and creative innovation.

The film received support from WBI and was screened at this year's World Expo in Osaka.

You can also find the article on Caviar.archi.