Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums, announced that the internationally acclaimed architect Lina Ghotmeh, founder and principal of the Paris-based studio Lina Ghotmeh — Architecture, has been selected through a global competition to design the permanent Qatar Pavilion at the Giardini of Venice Architecture Biennale.

Commissioned by H.E. Sheikha Al Mayassa on behalf of the State of Qatar, the Qatar Pavilion will be situated in the heart of the Giardini, next to the iconic Book Pavilion. 

This will be the third Pavilion added to the historic and prestigious Giardini in over 50 years.

"My team and I are deeply honoured to have been chosen for this uniquely exciting and significant project"

"My team and I are deeply honoured to have been chosen for this uniquely exciting and significant project. Qatar is a cultural beacon for the entire MENASA region," said Lina Ghotmeh.

"It is thrilling to be given this opportunity to design Qatar’s Pavilion on the historic grounds of the Giardini of La Biennale di Venezia," Ghotmeh added.

Lina Ghotmeh was chosen for her concept, which is characterized by architectural clarity and a thoughtful engagement with the Pavilion’s historical context, establishing a cultural connection between Qatar and the world at large. 

The design exemplifies architecture’s capacity to connect with the public realm, blending effortlessly with both the Pavilion’s immediate surroundings and the broader environment. In light of the contemporary art and architecture it will contain, the interior will be flexible and adaptable, allowing exhibitors to reshape the space according to their own creative visions.

"I extend my warmest congratulations to Lina Ghotmeh on receiving the commission for the Qatar Pavilion in the Giardini of La Biennale di Venezia. Her work is inspiring new and traditional audiences with its sensitivity to the human condition and its confident, innovative flair," said Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa.

"Lina has a worldview and sensibility that has grown from her native Lebanon to reach across cultures. She has wholeheartedly embraced our vision for the Qatar Pavilion as a platform for the artistic, architectural, and cultural creativity of our nation and the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia." 

"I thank H.H. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani for his vision and support in realising Qatar’s Pavilion. For their vision of bringing our two nations together through arts and culture, I also thank the Republic of Italy; Maria Tripodi, Italy’s Undersecretary of State to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; the Municipality of Venice and Mayor Luigi Brugnaro; Pietrangelo Buttafuoco, President of La Biennale di Venezia; H.E. Khalid bin Youssef Khalifa Abdullah Al Sada, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Qatar; and H.E. Paolo Toschi, Ambassador of the Republic of Italy to the State of Qatar," added Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa.

On May 8, H.E. Sheikha Al Mayassa and Lina Ghotmeh will engage in a conversation at ACP-Palazzo Franchetti, with Hans Ulrich Obrist serving as the moderator.

Lina Ghotmeh, a Lebanese-born architect and founder of the globally recognized firm Lina Ghotmeh — Architecture, is renowned for her designs that are sustainable, historically informed, and award-winning. 

Her work integrates traditional craftsmanship with innovation, creating a progressive, ecological, and inclusive architectural approach. Her philosophy, “Archaeology of the Future,” promotes a profound link among history, nature, and materials.

Notable projects include the redesign of the Western Range galleries of the British Museum; the 22nd Serpentine Pavilion in London, Ateliers Hermès in Normandy, France’s first low-carbon, energy-positive industrial building; Stone Garden Housing tower in Beirut, and the Estonian National Museum in Tartu. 

Lina Ghotmeh — Architecture is also designing the AlUla Contemporary Art Museum in Saudi Arabia and the Bahrain Pavilion for Expo 2025. Her work was exhibited in the 17th International Architecture Exhibition of Venice Architecture Biennale.

The top image in the article: Lina Ghotmeh. Image © Kimberly Lloyd.

> via Qatar Museums

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