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The exhibition Pressure Cooker explores a central research question: using the UAE as a case study, how can architecture contribute to enhancing food security?
This inquiry comes amid growing challenges facing traditional agricultural systems due to climate change, including soil degradation and rising temperatures. Drawing on extensive archival and contemporary research within the UAE, the exhibition investigates architectural responses to these challenges by presenting design proposals for greenhouse structures.
The exhibition situates the UAE’s agricultural landscape within a broader global context, examining how architectural thinking can support diverse and resilient food production practices at both individual and community levels.
Pressure Cooker was developed through a three-dimensional research methodology that integrates archival research, fieldwork, and hands-on design and construction. The project proposes a set of design standards for greenhouse structures specifically tailored to hot and arid climates.
In his opening remarks, His Excellency Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi emphasised the significance of the event, noting that architecture shapes our interaction with the environment and holds the potential to drive sustainable solutions for the future. He added that the UAE National Pavilion’s participation in the 2025 Architecture Biennale reaffirms the country’s commitment to the global dialogue on design innovation. The Pressure Cooker exhibition underscores how local design solutions can contribute to shaping sustainable urban futures.
He further noted that over the years, the UAE National Pavilion has become a vital platform for showcasing the depth and diversity of the UAE’s creative and intellectual landscape. With each iteration, the Pavilion continues to support local talent, foster cultural exchange, and reinforce the UAE’s role as an active contributor to global conversations around architecture, art, and design. The increasing recognition of the Pavilion reflects the dynamic and evolving nature of the country’s cultural landscape and its dedication to a sustainable and interconnected future through creativity.
Angela Migally, Executive Director of the Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation, stated that through the Foundation’s longstanding partnership with the UAE National Pavilion, they remain committed to offering a space for meaningful dialogue that inspires new ideas and strengthens connections. She noted that growth, understanding, and dialogue are foundational to the continued evolution of the UAE’s exceptional architecture, arts, and cultural scene. She expressed delight in exploring the perspectives on resilience and the role of design in creating a more sustainable future through Pressure Cooker.
Leila Binbrek, Director of the UAE National Pavilion, highlighted the Pavilion’s ongoing leadership in shaping and enriching the country’s cultural landscape. This is achieved through initiatives that support architectural discourse within the UAE. She pointed to the journey of curator Azza Aboualam, who began as an intern with the Pavilion in 2024. This year’s exhibition presents a new critical perspective not yet applied in this context, proposing a technical and experimental approach to architecture that is future-focused, interdisciplinary, and deeply connected to the realities of today’s climate.
Curator Azza Aboualam emphasised that in light of ongoing shifts in the agricultural world and escalating threats from climate change, the urgency of addressing food and water security—especially in the Gulf region—is increasing. While dominant global narratives around food security often focus on technological innovation, Pressure Cooker proposes an alternative: fostering a sense of shared responsibility among local communities.
Professor Michael Allen, Acting Vice President of Zayed University, noted that the partnership between Zayed University and the UAE National Pavilion is a clear example of their commitment to fostering creativity through research, education, and collaboration. He expressed great pride in supporting the pioneering work of Emirati architect Azza Aboualam, assistant professor at the College of Arts and Creative Enterprises at Zayed University, in the Pressure Cooker project, which explores the evolving relationship between architecture and food production in the UAE. He added that the project provides students and faculty with a direct opportunity to engage with innovative architectural research, demonstrating how bold ideas and academic innovation can translate into real-world impact with local roots and global resonance.
The exhibition is accompanied by a publication titled Pressure Cooker Recipes: An Architectural Cookbook, edited by Azza Aboualam and published by Kayfa Ta. The book combines research, essays, and creative contributions exploring the intersection of architecture and food production over time. Inspired by cookbooks, it is divided into five main chapters.
The publication’s texts and illustrations highlight agricultural practices in arid and other climates, offering fresh perspectives on our relationship with food production, climate-responsive design, and urban infrastructure.
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