Emirati architect Azza Aboualam will lead the UAE Pavilion exhibition at this year's Venice Architectural Biennale.
Called Pressure Cooker, the exhibition will be inspired by the country's approach to food sustainability. It will reimagine a greenhouse built for arid environments while proposing how its architectural designs can serve as a functionality model in resource-scarce conditions and address food security challenges in the UAE and beyond.
Drawing from archival research and fieldwork on the UAE's food-growing infrastructure and its innovative and advanced technologies, the exhibition also showcases how Emirati expertise in food production and its historical adaptation to regional climatic and environmental conditions over time.
Aboualam's research findings will be displayed at the Venice event, which will run from May 10 to November 23, and an accompanying publication will explore how food, architecture and the built environment intersect.
“Pressure Cooker will exhibit research that speaks to one of the most pressing challenges of our time: food security,” Aboualam said. "The exhibition examines the intersection of architecture, innovation and sustainability to address critical issues shaping our shared future.
“The curatorial approach is rooted in contemporary research, linking the UAE’s unique cultural and architectural identity to pressing global challenges, offering grounded, technical and imaginative perspectives on food systems and sustainability. Ultimately, Pressure Cooker asks: using the UAE as a case study, how can architecture be mobilised towards greater food security?”
Laila Binbrek, director of the pavilion, said the exhibition continues its mission to highlight the evolving architectural landscape. “The National Pavilion UAE is committed to sharing the country’s untold stories on a global stage, bridging the UAE’s rich cultural heritage with international discourse,” she said.
“This year, we are honoured to present the pioneering work of Emirati architect and scholar Azza Aboualam, whose exploration of sustainable food systems reflects the UAE’s dedication to addressing global challenges with creativity and foresight.”
UAE Minister of Culture Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi praised the exhibition as “thought-provoking", expressing hope that it will inspire crucial discussions on addressing climate change through innovative solutions and policies.
“The exhibition highlights the intersection of architecture and food security, demonstrating how sustainable design can contribute to building climate resilience and enhancing resource management,” he added. “This thought-provoking showcase exemplifies the UAE’s leadership in advancing architectural solutions tailored for arid environments while promoting a global dialogue on sustainability and self-sufficiency in food. We are proud to support this remarkable effort that celebrates Emirati ingenuity and inspires innovative pathways for a sustainable future.”
A permanent site at the biennale, the National Pavilion UAE is commissioned by the Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation and supported by the Ministry of Culture. Curated by Italian architect and engineer Carlo Ratti, this year’s biennale will run under the theme Intelligens. Natural. Artificial. Collective.
