The National Pavilion UAE has announced an open call for curators to lead the UAE’s exhibition at the 20th International Architecture Exhibition at La Biennale di Venezia, taking place from May to November 2027.
This open call challenges curators to uncover an untold story from the UAE’s architectural landscape, one that reflects both local depth and global resonance. Applicants are encouraged to explore innovative, critical narratives that draw from the built environment of the UAE and the broader MENASA (Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia) region. The deadline for submissions is 30 September 2025.
Eligible applicants include UAE citizens, residents, and international professionals with substantial experience in the region. Both individuals and teams may apply; however, team submissions must include at least one UAE-based member. Proposals should be original, research-driven, and aligned with the Biennale Architettura’s mission as a platform for the global exchange of architectural ideas.
“The Biennale Architettura is a space for rigorous thought, experimentation, and critical reflection,” said Angela Migally, Executive Director of the Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation, Commissioner of the National Pavilion UAE. “This is a powerful opportunity for curators in the UAE to make meaningful contributions to global conversations on architecture, grounded in local experience.”
“Each edition of the National Pavilion UAE seeks to elevate bold, original perspectives from the UAE to the world stage,” added Laila Binbrek, Director of the National Pavilion UAE. “With this international call, we’re welcoming voices who understand the region to push boundaries and expand the discourse on architecture’s role in shaping our collective future.”
To support applicants, the National Pavilion UAE will host information sessions in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, with dates to be announced on @nationalpavilionuae.
Highlights from Previous Exhibitions
Since its first participation in 2014, the National Pavilion UAE has used the Biennale Architettura to tell distinctive stories about the UAE’s evolving architecture. The current 2025 exhibition, Pressure Cooker, curated by Azza Aboualam, explores the relationship between architecture, food security, and climate change. It is on view until 23 November 2025, with a virtual tour available online.
Notable past exhibitions include:
Aridly Abundant (2023) by Faysal Tabbarah – Reframing the arid UAE landscape as a space of abundance.
Wetland (2021) by Wael Al Awar and Kenichi Teramoto – Featuring an award-winning prototype for sustainable salt-based cement; recipient of the Golden Lion for Best National Participation.
Lifescapes Beyond Bigness (2018) by Dr. Khaled Alawadi – Highlighting how everyday life shapes urban environments.
Transformations: The Emirati National House (2016) by Yasser Elsheshtawy – Exploring the evolving sha’abi housing model.
Lest We Forget: Structures of Memory in the UAE (2014) by Dr. Michele Bambling – Investigating how architecture reflects national identity in the UAE’s early years.
As a non-profit platform commissioned by the Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation and supported by the UAE Ministry of Culture, the National Pavilion UAE continues to foster critical engagement and creative research across disciplines.
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