At the heart of the Pavilion stands the Najdi architecture of Riyadh, characterized by the use of raw earth and adaptive climatic solutions, engaging in dialogue with the urban transformations of Saudi Arabia. A living archive documents the historical layering and evolution of the urban fabric through images, models, and oral testimonies. The installation serves as a launch platform for the educational project The Um Slaim School, an open initiative embracing transnational experiences focused on research practices and alternative pedagogy. Its goal is to foster the development of a new educational ecosystem within the field of architecture in Saudi Arabia. The project includes a program of meetings and workshops aimed at rethinking local architectural practices in a sustainable perspective.

ph Andrea Avezzù – Courtesy La Biennale di Venezia