Saudi Arabia's IRTH Pavilion at Venice Architecture Biennale

The Saudi Arabian Pavilion at the 2023 Venice Architecture Biennale, titled IRTH إرث, explores the concept of heritage through a multi-sensory experience. Curated by a team including architect AlBara Saimaldahar, sisters Basma and Noura Bouzo, Cyril Zammit, and Joharah Lou Pabalate, the pavilion is located at the Sale d'Armi in the Arsenale and runs until November 26, 2023. The project emphasizes collaborative and participatory processes, inviting visitors to add clay tiles to an octahedral structure. It features a custom fragrance of lavender, frankincense, and myrrh, and a 3D-printed sculpture that will be relocated to the Red Sea post-Biennale to foster marine life. The pavilion also includes a Public Programme held at Diriyah, including events at the Prince Nasser Palace within the UNESCO site of At-Turaif, aligned with Saudi Vision 2030. The curators stress the importance of considering the afterlife of pavilion structures beyond the exhibition period.