Irth

This catalogue invites readers to dive deeper into the captivating dialogue between
materiality and imagination, as envisioned by IRTH إرث at the 18th International
Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia.
Prepared for the Biennale Architettura 2023, for which the theme was ‘The Laboratory
of the Future’, the catalogue of IRTH إرث immerses visitors into the profound interplay
between material and immaterial. It chronicles the National Pavilion of Saudi Arabia’s
multi-faceted contribution to the discussion, in which the essence of earth as a material
becomes a canvas for envisioning tomorrow’s architectural legacies.
In a curatorial journey told through essays from visionary architects, researchers
and experimental material alchemists, the catalogue represents the multiple viewpoints
and projects emerging from Saudi Arabia and its wider region. It delves into vernacular
Saudi architecture, which, meticulously deconstructed and reimagined, forms the key
point of reference for this journey.
As we navigate the universal challenges of belonging and legacy, this exhibition
transcends geographical boundaries, seeking common ground in the tapestry of diverse
identities and perspectives. Through the lens of materiality, the National Pavilion of
Saudi Arabia compels us to answer collectively the problems of tomorrow, one narrative
at a time.
Notable topics: The Exploration of Immateriality in Architecture; Examining
Experimental Materials for Future-proofed Built Environments; Understanding
Vernacular Architecture and Modernization in Saudi Arabia.