The National Pavilion UAE has officially opened at the 19th International Architecture Exhibition at La Biennale di Venezia, running from May 10 to November 23, with a pre-opening on May 8 and 9. The exhibition, titled “Pressure Cooker,” is curated by Azza Aboualam, an Emirati architect, Assistant Professor at Zayed University, and Co-founder of Holesum Studio. The main focus of the exhibition is to explore how architecture can enhance global food security, using the UAE as a case study.

“Pressure Cooker” can refer to both the kitchen appliance and the increasing pressures of climate change. As climate change disrupts agricultural systems, traditional farming faces threats like soil degradation and extreme temperatures. The exhibition presents a series of experimental adaptive greenhouse designs aimed at addressing these challenges in arid environments.

By situating the UAE’s agricultural landscape within a global context, the exhibition looks at how architectural innovation can support effective food production practices. It employs a methodology that combines archival research, fieldwork, and design experimentation. One key feature is a modular kit designed for greenhouse assemblies, tailored specifically for hot, arid climates.

This kit simplifies the greenhouse into fundamental components such as roof, wall, floor, tools, and materials. These components can be reconfigured in various combinations to meet specific climatic conditions and crop needs. The exhibition envisions a future where food production and architectural design are integrated into our living environments.

Visitors will experience a variety of experimental greenhouse assemblies that utilize different combinations of the kit’s components. Each assembly investigates critical variables like sunlight, shading, temperature, irrigation, and energy use, which affect both the interior environment and crop yields. The exhibition showcases crops that hold regional significance, such as cucumbers, and also demonstrates the capability to cultivate plants like blueberries, which are typically not associated with desert climates.

The greenhouse designs address environmental challenges specific to the UAE while serving as prototypes for adaptation in other contexts, including Venice. “Pressure Cooker” merges local cultivation practices with research from the UAE, highlighting architecture’s potential to create adaptive food infrastructures across different climates.

Accompanying the installation are multimedia and audio materials that document the research phases of the exhibition. Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, UAE Minister of Culture, remarked that “Pressure Cooker illustrates how local design solutions can contribute to new perspectives on sustainable urban living.” Angela Migally, Executive Director of the Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation, emphasized the importance of growth and dialogue for the UAE’s architectural and cultural community. The Foundation serves as the Pavilion’s Commissioner.

Laila Binbrek, Director of the National Pavilion UAE, noted that the Pavilion plays a pivotal role in shaping the cultural landscape of the UAE. She highlighted Azza Aboualam’s journey, from her internship in 2014 to her curatorial role this year. Aboualam explained that the exhibition investigates how architecture can help tackle food production challenges, aligning with the UAE’s food security goals. Professor Michael Allen, Acting Vice President of Zayed University, mentioned that the partnership between the university and the National Pavilion exemplifies a commitment to fostering creativity through research and collaboration.

A publication titled “Pressure Cooker Recipes: An Architectural Cookbook,” edited by Azza Aboualam and published by Kaph Books, complements the exhibition. Holesum Studio, co-founded by Aboualam in 2021, is a multidisciplinary architecture and design practice based in New York and Sharjah. Aboualam’s past work includes managing the design of significant projects like the Aga Khan Award-winning Wasit Wetland Center while employed at Sharjah’s Department of Public Works.

The National Pavilion UAE operates as an independent, non-profit organization with a permanent pavilion at the Arsenale – Sale d’Armi. It aims to curate the untold stories of the UAE’s arts and architecture through its participation in the Venice Biennale. The Pavilion receives support from the Ministry of Culture, which promotes Emirati cultural and artistic initiatives and fosters dialogue between diverse cultures.