pakistan's first national pavilion at the venice biennale reflects on limitation and interdependence

for its first participation at the venice architecture biennale, the pakistan pavilion takes its cues from the physical and social dimensions of the sparsely open spaces found within the informal settlements of karachi, the country’s largest and most dense city. embedded with ideas of limitation and interdependence, the pavilion echoes the tangible and intangible qualities of those settlements, inviting visitors to comprehend FREESPACE as a consequence of unity, mutuality and harmony.

located in the levante section of the gardens of marinaressa
pavilion images by mustafa mehdi

sitting in the levante section of the gardens of marinaressa, venice, the pavilion appears as an elusive volume composed of a series of unevenly spaced verticals enclosing a constricted space within. these verticals represent the multiplicity, density and irregularity evident in the informal settlements of the city, while the use of steel is indicative of the harsh physical reality of these settlements. serving as the financial and industrial center of the country, karachi has long attracted people from all parts of pakistan in search of employment opportunities, and has welcomed migrants from near-by countries facing conflict and economic deprivation. today, over 60% of the city’s population resides in informal settlements, where the only open spaces that remain are the narrow corridors trapped between endless layers of buildings. receiving only fractured light, these corridors occasionally open into slightly wider pockets of space, yet, despite the harsh conditions these open spaces remain full of life and vitality, not only functioning as thoroughfares, but serving as vibrant arenas for interaction, dissemination of information, exchange of ideas, and even play.

intersecting axes supported by the layer of unevenly spaced verticals

titled ‘the fold’, pakistan’s pavilion is purposefully placed in an outdoor public space in efforts to form a dialogue between the traditional and antithetical public domains. the subtle tapering of the profile against the sky symbolizes the tendency of the karachi settlements to rise in synchronization. inside, two axes and six objects articulate the space, engaging visitors both physically and intellectually with four swings suspended from the two strategically placed axes, that are encouraging visitors to swing freely. similarly, a pair of benches invite visitors to pause and reflect, but only with two persons sitting on either ends. in the pavilion, FREESPACE is interpreted as a democratic space, one that is a consequence of shared aims and values within a restrictive physicality.

strategically placed swings

coordinate and swing away

activated by mutual understanding

confined yet liberating

regulated and unregulated development patterns of karachi
google earth image

karachi, pakistan’s most populated city with a population of over 20 million people
photo by sakina hassan 

Physical reality of the informal settlements of Karachi
photo by sakina hassan 

avenues of life and vitality
photo by sakina hassan 

design and curatorial team
photo by sakina hassan 

projected plan of the pavilion
image by coalesce design studio

pavilion info:

design and curatorial team: architects bilal kapadia, mustafa mehdi and salman jawed of the karachi-based multidisciplinary design practice coalesce design studio, assistant professors durreshahwar alvi and sami chohan (curator) from the department of architecture, indus valley school of art and architecture, and zeba asad, a student of architecture at the indus valley school of art and architecture

commissioner: asad i. khan, chairperson of the pakistan council of architects and town planners

the pavilion is supported by the global art affairs foundation, european cultural centre, coalesce design studio and antidote art & design. pakistan’s first-ever participation was enabled by khaadi and international industries limited

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: sofia lekka angelopoulou | designboom

designboom’s coverage of the 2018 venice architecture biennale is in partnership with leading energy company edison. edison is taking part in the 16th international architecture exhibition of la biennale di venezia by initiating a path towards sustainability and the efficient use of resources. the collaboration between edison and la biennale is based on awareness that energy is one of the fundamental elements of architecture and of the places, spaces and cities of contemporary life.