Materia was invited to participate in the 19th International Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia, curated by Carlo Ratti (Intelligens. Natural. Artificial. Collective), as part of the Intelligens Canon selection.
Materia decided to focus on its Oasis Agricultural Campus (OAC) project showcasing how circular and nature-positive principles have been implemented in the delicate context of the oasis of AlUla. The exhibit explores the complexity and multi-disciplinarity of the development process required to establish a new ethics of the built environment, where projects are evaluated on their long-term impact on the whole eco-system instead than mere short-term financial viability.
The regeneration of the ecosystem of the oasis is contextualised within the relationship of coexistence between human and nature, so to explore novel ways for the community to engage with their land in ways that go beyond the mere economical realm. Materia’s intervention aims to raise the question of whether we can we find the humility necessary to accept that we should work with the Order of Nature instead than aiming to control it.
