The Saudi Pavilion at the 2018 Venice Architecture Biennale was conceived under the theme of "Freespace," introduced by curators Yvonne Farrell and Shelley McNamara. This theme reflects the experiential and spatial nature of architecture, moving beyond its technological or historical associations to explore dualities in built and unbuilt spaces. The pavilion examines the tensions within Saudi Arabia’s architecture, particularly the balance between economic growth and environmental preservation. These tensions, rooted in the country’s rapid urbanization following the oil boom, have shaped car-dependent neighborhoods and fragmented communities, straining social ties and natural resources. The pavilion asks how architecture can address these challenges while fostering sustainable growth and cultural continuity.
Commissioned by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture, the Saudi Pavilion marks the kingdom’s inaugural participation in the Architecture Biennale, signaling a broader effort to elevate Saudi architectural practices and promote sustainability. Bricklab, a Jeddah-based design studio known for integrating cultural narratives into its projects, was chosen to conceptualize and design the pavilion. The studio's approach merges local architectural traditions with global architectural discourse, reflecting the Ministry's commitment to celebrating Saudi heritage while addressing contemporary challenges.
Set against the historical backdrop of Venice’s Arsenale, the pavilion provides a contrasting stage for Saudi architecture to engage in global conversations. The setting’s layered architectural history amplifies the pavilion’s exploration of dualities, framing Saudi Arabia’s evolving urban fabric within an international context. Bricklab used this environment to craft an immersive, interactive experience that guides visitors through a journey of sensory and spatial exploration, reflecting Saudi cities’ unique fluidity and the interplay of private and communal spaces.
The pavilion’s design consists of five distinct spatial zones, each symbolizing aspects of Saudi urbanism. These zones guide visitors from spaces intended for personal reflection to larger, communal areas that emphasize connection and shared experience. This spatial progression mirrors the urban complexity of Saudi cities, characterized by their rapid expansion, car-centric layouts, and fragmented neighborhoods. The design prompts visitors to reflect on the social and environmental dimensions of urban development, presenting architecture as a medium to address such challenges.
A hallmark of the pavilion is its innovative use of materials, specifically a composite of resin and sand developed in collaboration with teams in Jeddah and Venice. Resin, a petrochemical byproduct, and sand, a ubiquitous element of Saudi Arabia’s desert landscape, symbolize the relationship between the kingdom’s oil-based economy and its natural environment. These materials form a series of pod-like enclosures that blur the boundaries between interior and exterior spaces, embodying the dualities of public and private life in Saudi urbanism. The tactile qualities of these materials evoke the desert’s fluidity and the resilience of traditional Saudi architecture.
Through this thoughtful interplay of materiality, spatial progression, and symbolism, the Saudi Pavilion captures the essence of Saudi Arabia’s architectural identity. It connects the kingdom’s urban and cultural narratives to broader global challenges, encouraging visitors to explore shared aspirations for sustainable, community-focused development. Bricklab’s pavilion underscores architecture’s potential to mediate between cultural heritage and environmental responsibility, positioning Saudi Arabia as a key player in the global architectural dialogue.
