Discover How the National Pavilion UAE is Bridging Architecture, Food Security, and Climate Change Solutions

The National Pavilion UAE is making its mark at the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale with an exhibition titled “Pressure Cooker,” curated by Emirati architect Azza Aboualam. This show tackles a pressing question: How can architecture enhance food security, using the UAE as a focal point?

As climate change continues to disrupt farming, traditional practices face threats like extreme temperatures and deteriorating soil. The exhibition showcases innovative greenhouse designs that adapt to desert conditions. These designs stem from a rich blend of historical research and modern insights, aimed at creating sustainable food production systems in the UAE.

“Pressure Cooker” features a modular greenhouse kit, specifically designed for hot environments. It breaks down the greenhouse’s structure into essential components like roofs, walls, and floors, allowing for customization to meet diverse agricultural needs. This modularity hints at a future where architecture and agriculture are seamlessly integrated into our everyday spaces.

Visitors will see various experimental greenhouses at the exhibition, each demonstrating different ways to manage environmental factors like sunlight and humidity. These setups not only impact crop yield but also reveal the best construction methods for each assembly. Some setups even explore growing traditionally non-desert crops such as blueberries.

Each greenhouse is a test case, not just for the UAE, but for other regions too—like Venice. The research behind this project, led by Aboualam and developed with partners like Holesum Studio, aims to adapt these greenhouse designs to different climates.

This project also collects valuable data on the environmental performance of each assembly, further emphasizing the role of architecture in creating flexible, climate-responsive agricultural systems. “Pressure Cooker” seeks to create a shared responsibility for food security among local communities, suggesting that sustainable solutions can arise from grassroots innovations rather than relying solely on high-tech advances.

Aboualam notes the urgency of food security, especially in the Gulf region, where climate change poses severe challenges. She emphasizes that local design solutions can effectively address these issues, drawing from both traditional practices and modern technology.

In collaboration with organizations like Silal and Zayed University, the National Pavilion UAE is keen on fostering research and educational initiatives. Through the 2025 Venice Internship Program, students in the UAE can gain firsthand experience with international architectural practices.

This exhibition is not only a platform for showcasing innovative ideas but also a call to rethink how architecture can coexist with food production. Accompanying the displays are audio and visual materials that invite visitors into the research process, sharing insights and experiences from the development stages.

As part of the exhibition, a book titled *Pressure Cooker Recipes: An Architectural Cookbook*, edited by Aboualam, delves into the relationship between architecture and food systems over time. It features research, essays, and creative contributions, offering fresh perspectives on food production and climate-responsive design.

By presenting a multidisciplinary approach, “Pressure Cooker” challenges us to consider the role of design in future food security. The exhibition will run from May 10 to November 23, 2025, at the Arsenale in Venice, inviting audiences to explore a blend of architectural innovation and sustainable agriculture.

For further details and updates on the exhibition, visit the official [National Pavilion UAE website](https://nationalpavilionuae.org).

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