Venice, Italy
Wetland at the National Pavilion United Arab Emirates, 2021 Golden Lion recepient at the 17th International Architecture Exhibtion at La Biennale di Venezia, presents a prototype of an environmentally friendly salt-based cement alternative from recycled industrial waste brine, which could reduce the impact the construction industry has on the environment.
The research presented in Wetland investigates the possibility of upcycling by-products of industrial waste produced by cities to be used as a sustainable building material inspired by a city’s local landcape, crafting a Future Vernacular for architecture.
The production of traditional cement generates 8% of the world’s CO2 emissions, while brine, highly- saturated saltwater left over from industrial desalination, is often disposed back into the sea causing significant impact on marine life and ecosystems. In keeping with the Biennale’s overall theme “How Will We Live Together?” the jury awarded the National Pavilion of the UAE the Golden Lion stating “for a bold experiment which encourages us to think about the relationship between waste and production at both the local and global scales, and opens to new construction possibilities between craft and high technology.”
Commissioner: Salama Bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation
Supporter: UAE Ministry of Culture and Youth
Curators: Wael Al Awar and Kenichi Teramoto
Exhibitors: waiwai, New York University – Abu Dhabi (Amber Lab), University of Tokyo (Sato Lab and Obuchi Lab), American University of Sharjah (Dept. of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences), Farah Al Qasimi
