Sharjah Architecture Triennial announces theme of 3rd (SAT03)

Continuing SAT’s mission to reframe architectural discourse from the vantage points of West Asia, South Asia, and the African continent, this edition addresses the growing complexity and dominance of urban life, particularly in fast-developing regions. As cities evolve into hyper-connected infrastructural networks, they have become the primary terrain where social, economic, political, technological and ecological forces collide, fundamentally reshaping how we live, connect and build together. Urban environments now extend beyond the physical boundaries of cities, encompassing vast territorial and cultural differences, digital realms and migratory flows - and every shift resonates across communities with potential global consequences. In this context, architecture must reclaim its role as a critical and imaginative force capable of responding to the nuances and complexities of how we inhabit the world today.

Expanding on her approach for SAT03, Vyjayanthi Rao said: "This edition adopts a multi-disciplinary perspective, exploring architecture through the lens of anthropology, grounded in the locality of phenomena and context and remaining attentive simultaneously to global conditions and cultural difference. We are especially interested in exploring migratory movement and the rapid extension and localization of urbanism as building blocks of contemporary social life.  The edition will foreground propositions for building civic infrastructure hospitable to these flows, creating new pathways for collective life to prosper in an uncertain and rapidly mutating world." 

This curatorial vision reflects the long-standing work of Rao and Tavengwa: Rao as an anthropologist and teacher at the Yale School of Architecture, who focuses on urbanism in India and the U.S.; and Tavengwa as a writer and co-founder of CS Studio, which develops experimental methods to reframe cities through plural, interdisciplinary lenses.

Architecture Otherwise will embed the Triennial into the city and the Emirate of Sharjah through site-specific installations, exhibitions, performances, workshops and public events. It will convene architects, artists, designers, scholars, cultural institutions and local communities from across the Gulf and the Global South, bringing the Triennial into direct dialogue with the region. For the first time, select participants will also undertake month-long residencies in Sharjah, allowing them to embed their work within its cultural and social context. These initiatives will activate a wide range of urban spaces and invite audiences to engage in critical conversations about the future of architecture and civic life.

In line with SAT’s commitment to long-term engagement and research, this edition will generate enduring tools, insights, and frameworks that extend beyond the event itself - contributing to a richer, more inclusive architectural discourse.

The second public event of SAT03 will be held in November 2025, marking one year until the Triennial’s opening. The programme will include the announcement of the first group of participants, followed by a conversation between the selected participants and the curators. This follows the launch of the SAT03 series with ‘Meet the Curators’ on May 10, 2025.