fbpx
Close

Wael Al Awar and Kenichi Teramoto selected as curators of the National Pavilion UAE at Venice Biennale

The exhibition will explore salt as a sustainable building material.

Wael Al Awar and Kenichi Teramoto, Principal Architects of Dubai’s ibda design, have been appointed as the curators for the National Pavilion UAE at the 2020 Venice Biennale. Their winning proposal, selected from an expansive field of almost 100 applications, will focus of sea salt, a traditional, locally sourced building material, and its potential uses for developing sustainable habitation in desert environments.

“Our approach to design interweaves natural light, time, structure, and landscape with architecture. We are continually inspired by natural phenomena and the ways in which architects can adapt organic materials to create sustainable designs,” said the curatorial team. “Salt is a geologically fascinating substance as well as one of the UAE’s most abundant natural resources, and through our exhibition, we’ll explore its potential as an environmentally-friendly building material.”

The 2020 Venice Biennale’s theme of How Will We Live Together? will explore architecture’s ability to engage people and communities across increasing social, economic and political and digital divides.

The Latest

Read ‘New Generations’ – Note from the editor – June 2025

Read identity magazine's June 2025 edition on ISSUU or grab your copy at the newsstands.

Edginess in Shenzhen

This contemporary duplex with glowing accents brings a touch of Paris elegance to one of China’s booming cities

Technogym Artis

Technogym’s new Artis Luxury line blends style and design

High-performance wellness meets seamless integration of advanced technology, sustainability, and timeless style.

Things to Covet – May 2025

Here are the latest releases that we spotted at Milan Design Week

AMAN NAI LERT

A Contemporary Sanctuary Rooted in Thai Heritage

The newest Aman hotel in Bangkok offers culture, craft and timeless design

LUTRON

Light as a Design Statement

Lutron’s Alisse Keypads and S-Curve Shades are elevating Middle Eastern interiors with seamless control and sculptural beauty

Optical Delight

Influenced by the geometric formation of crystals, Arctic elegantly captures and refracts light

Downtown Design Riyadh

Highlights from Downtown Design Riyadh

From collectible creations and immersive installations to Saudi-driven showcases, the Kingdom’s first high-end contemporary design fair spotlighted local vision and global design excellence.

Oikos

An impressive entrance at a home in Amman, Jordan

The Synua pivot door by Oikos defines the entrance of a contemporary villa in Jordan’s capital with scale, strength, and striking materiality.

Small Spaces, Big Impact

How intentional design, emotional storytelling and clever craftsmanship can quickly transform challenging spaces into points of interest

Cosentino at Downtown Design Riyadh

Cosentino’s Moon Vignettes makes a comeback at Downtown Design Riyadh

Over 70% of the installation has been repurposed for this edition, showcasing the brand's dedication to circular economy.