Rotterdam Architecture Biennale Relaunches in New Dedicated Venue

The 7th edition of the International Architecture Biennale Rotterdam (IABR) marks a new chapter by moving to a permanent home at Fenixloods II. Titled "The Next Economy: What's Next?", the exhibition ran from April 23 to July 10, 2016. The biennale shifts focus from temporary installations to a sustained investigation of how architecture can respond to economic transformation. Curated by Maarten Hajer and Dirk van den Heuvel, the event featured contributions from architects, urbanists, and theorists exploring alternative economic models. The venue itself, a former warehouse in the Fenixloods district, symbolizes Rotterdam's industrial heritage and its adaptive reuse. The biennale included installations, debates, and research projects that questioned growth-driven paradigms and proposed circular, collaborative, and local economies. Notable participants included Rem Koolhaas/OMA, MVRDV, and the Berlage Institute. The IABR's new permanent base aims to foster long-term research and public engagement beyond the exhibition cycle.