Alejandro Aravena is known primarily for his social projects, created and implemented on the basis of the ELEMENTAL bureau, so it is not surprising that the next Venice Biennale will be dedicated to “improving the quality of the built environment and, as a consequence, the quality of life of people”. Aravena plans to use the example of “success stories” and “working” projects to show that instead of humility or bitterness about global problems, solutions can and should be offered and these ideas brought to life.
The previous, 14th Architecture Biennale, directed by Rem Koolhaas, was the first one that lasted not 3 months, like all the exhibitions before it, but six months - the same as the Art Biennale. It was assumed that this is due to the widespread fame of the curator, whose name is able to attract more visitors than usual, but now it has been decided to make 6 months the standard period for an international architectural exhibition in Venice. This is due, among other things, to the constantly growing flow of students and teachers of architecture universities from all over the world, who attend the Biennale throughout its duration.
The next architectural exhibition in Venice will run from May 28 to November 27, 2016, the vernissage is scheduled for May 26 and 27.
Alejandro Aravena was born in 1967 in Chile, graduated from the Catholic University of Santiago and the Architectural Institute of the University of Venice, taught at Harvard. He became famous for the residential area on the site of the Quinta Monroy slum in the Chilean city of Iquique - a realistic example of replacing "self-construction" with full-fledged housing that fits into the capabilities of both the state and residents. This scheme was then implemented in other parts of Latin America. Also among the projects of ELEMENTAL are the reconstruction of public spaces, the restoration of cities after earthquakes, etc. Aravena is also involved in the usual architectural practice, including the buildings of the Catholic University of Santiago and US universities, projects for Vitra and Novartis. In 2008 he received the "Silver Lion" at the Venice Biennale, since 2009 he has been a member of the jury for the Pritzker Prize.
