WEEK IN REVIEW

REPORTING FROM THE 2023 VENICE ARCHITECTURE BIENNALE

'each of us, each nation, each individual...has a role in this history and we need to confront it,' reads a quote by american writer james baldwin at the start of the main exhibition, 'the laboratory of the future', in the biennale's arsenale venue. curated by ghanaian-scottish architect, novelist and educator lesley lokko, the 18th venice architecture exhibition, which opened its doors to the public on saturday, may 20, takes a radical departure from its past by presenting a show centered on africa, as well as on 'decolonisation and decarbonisation'. both in the giardini and in the arsenale, the main exhibition presents perspectives on the future of our built environment through the works of 89 participants, over half of whom are from africa or the african diaspora. installations by architects such as francis kéré and david adjaye coexist with works by artists like ibrahim mahama and serge attukwei clottey, whose sculptural tapestry, made of recycled plastic gallon containers, stretches between the canopied cloisters of the corderie. in another section of the arsenale, neri & hu explore the notion of liminality (read our interview here!), while in the giardini, the brazilian pavilion won the golden lion for best national participation 'for a research exhibition and architectural intervention that center the philosophies and imaginaries of indigenous and black population towards modes of reparation.’

INTERVIEW: NORMAN FOSTER ON HIS HOUSING PROTOTYPE WITH HOLCIM

in an interview with designboom, sir norman foster discusses 'essential homes', the collaborative housing prototype unveiled by the norman foster foundation and holcim in venice during the architecture biennale. the renowned architect delves into the team's unconventional approach, questioning the effectiveness of traditional tents in meeting the urgent needs of displaced populations. 'I believe everyone who interacts with it, including those of us who have been most involved, has realized that we have touched upon something that relates not only to the refugee crisis but also to the homeless crisis,' foster explains. read our conversation in full here, and discover more recent interviews here.

3D PRINTED MINERAL FOAM BLOCKS MADE OF INDUSTRIAL WASTE

ETH zurich researchers develop monolithic, lightweight, and insulated wall constructions using foam 3D printing of cement-free mineral foams from recycled waste. titled 'airlements', the project aims to reduce the amount of material, labor, and costs required for bespoke building parts. see more submissions by our readers here, and find out how to upload your own project here.

the weekly is an inside review curated by sofia lekka angelopoulou.