By Abdullah Al-Tekreeti
UNIVERSITY CITY, SHARJAH – Sharjah’s second Architecture Triennial, titled “The Beauty of Impermanence: An Architecture of Adaptability,” kicked off on Nov. 11 and will continue till March 2024.
The adaptability theme, in line with the UAE hosting COP28, utilized the great number of historic buildings found in Sharjah’s “Heart of Sharjah” district. Many were upgraded for 21st-century use; some were turned into museums, others into restaurants, hotels, cultural associations and more.
Staying in one such refurbished hotel, architecture Professor Christopher Pierce said that he came to Sharjah specifically for the triennial.
He added that the heritage in Sharjah has been “respected in the way it has been preserved.”
Brought on by this year’s curator, Tosin Oshinowo, many architects from West and South Asia as well as Africa will contribute to the triennial in different capacities. While some will give talks, and give workshops, others will work on public displays inside Sharjah.
Oshinowo said that the triennial will explore neglected indigenous sustainable building practices to “illuminate a pathway forward to reorient our conversation on sustainability.”
For a detailed list of events and times visit https://www.sharjaharchitecture.org/
