An adaptable greenhouse assembly exploring food, community and resilience in arid landscapes.

The National Pavilion UAE presents a new iteration of Pressure Cooker, first unveiled at the Biennale Architettura 2025 in Venice. Curated by Azza Aboualam, the project examines the vital intersection of architecture and food production in regions defined by scarcity and aridity, proposing innovative responses to urgent food security challenges.

Reimagining the pavilion's modular kit-of-parts, this version of Pressure Cooker is designed to function as a greenhouse assembly and communal gathering space. The design embodies flexibility and resourcefulness, enabling the creation of infrastructures that are both self-sufficient and adaptable. By merging food cultivation with spaces for encounter, the installation reflects a holistic approach to resilience where architecture becomes a catalyst for cultivating resilient, community-oriented environments within their contexts.

About National Pavilion UAE – La Biennale di Venezia:

The National Pavilion UAE is an award-winning pavilion that curates untold stories about the UAE’s arts and architecture through its participation in the International Art and Architecture Exhibitions organized by La Biennale di Venezia.

In parallel with its exhibitions in Venice, the National Pavilion UAE engages with communities in the UAE to support the growth of the local cultural and creative industries, through public programming, professional opportunities and the Venice Internship program it offers.

The National Pavilion UAE is an independent non-profit organization, commissioned by the Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation and supported by the UAE Ministry of Culture.