The Pavilion of Humanity - 57th International Art Exhibition | La Biennale di VeneziaArchitect
Aug. 2019 - Oct. 2019Venice, Veneto, ItalyThe question, “How will we live together?” is at once an ancient one and an urgent one. It is also as much a social and political question as a spatial one. Aristotle asked it when he was defining politics, and he came back to propose the model of the city.
My team and I, had to answer this question, by relating it to our country. Across the world, the slums are decreasing. However, in Lebanon, it's the opposite. In fact 1 in 8 people live in shantytowns, marginalizing them from the rest if the society. Therefore, "How will live together?" My team and I responded to the theme by creating an inner activation concept within the slums of our city Beirut, to trigger our desire in experimenting them. We shift to a minimal, light intervention tat is not disruptive of the current dynamic, but instead adapts to it while enhancing coexistence and thus, motivating is in taking action to make bigger changes.
We tackled a sustainable and self-sufficient structure that translates into an evolving matrix, shaped by adjustable modules. This shapeshifting assembly generates spaces of various functions, mainly tackling socio-cultural aspects; exhibitions; libraries; hydroponic gardens; recreational areas and interactive experiences. Our proposed solution adapts to the unique conditions specific to each region, allowing the structure to be a solutions for many urban problems (i.e. rain water collection)