Sejima became the first woman appointed Director of the Architecture Sector of the Venice Biennale, curating the 12th International Architecture Exhibition.
On July 7, 2010, Kazuyo Sejima made history by being appointed the first woman to serve as Director of the Architecture Sector of the Venice Biennale, one of the most prestigious and influential platforms in global architecture and art. This appointment placed her at the helm of curating the 12th International Architecture Exhibition, themed 'People Meet in Architecture.'
Since its founding, the Biennale's architecture section had been directed exclusively by men, making Sejima's appointment a landmark moment for gender representation in the upper echelons of architectural curation and criticism. Her theme emphasized human connection, collaboration, and the social dimension of architectural space—values consistent with her own design philosophy at SANAA.
Under her direction, the exhibition featured a diverse international roster of architects and included installations exploring transparency, lightness, and interpersonal encounter within built environments. Critics praised the exhibition for its inclusive, dialogic curatorial approach, a departure from more hierarchical or star-driven Biennale editions of the past.
Sejima's directorship opened pathways for subsequent women curators and directors at the Biennale and other major international exhibitions, reinforcing her role not only as a practicing architect but as a shaper of architectural discourse on the world stage.