Alessandro Melis to Curate Italy Pavilion at 2020 Venice Architecture Biennale

Alessandro Melis has been appointed curator of the Italy Pavilion at the 17th International Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia, opening May 23, 2020, directed by Hashim Sarkis. The announcement was made by Italian Minister of Cultural Heritage and Activities Alberto Bonisoli, who praised Melis's project 'Comunità Resilienti' for addressing urgent themes like climate change and community resilience. Melis succeeds Mario Cucinella, curator of the previous 'Arcipelago Italia' pavilion. His proposal was selected from five candidates by the Directorate General for Contemporary Art and Architecture and Urban Peripheries, with international experience among the criteria. Born in Cagliari in 1969, Melis studied architecture at the University of Florence and is a founding partner of Heliopolis 21 Architetti Associati in Pisa (established 1996). He co-directs the Cluster for Sustainable Cities and founded the Media Hub, the first open lab at the University of Portsmouth, UK, focusing on technological innovation in climate and environmental design. His research centers on climate design and urban regeneration.