Venice, Italy
Situated in the Arsenale area in Venice, Adjaye Associates’ “Kwaeε” installation, created for the 2023 Venice Architectural Biennale along with Format Engineers, symbolizes the notion of the forest as a huge triangular prism made of black timber.
In this temporary installation, form and materiality take on the qualities of its namesake, which translates as “forest” in Twi, one of Ghana’s main languages.
The installation is envisioned by the creators as a space for both reflection and active programming and the interior space is carved ovoid that resembles a cave, while the outward structure is a triangular prism punctuated by two oculi.
Its distorted shape is put at an angle and touches the perimeter to form channels and apertures for entry and escape.
The external structure takes the form of a triangular prism/ pyramid.
Leveraging its central location, the installation is at once an active and passive inhabitable structure, providing a space for respite and convening as well as multipurpose events.
It also acts as a device for calling and recording, the activity within the “Kwaeε” will extend not only to lectures, panel discussions, and performances, but will also be a space for archival auditory experiences.
Kwaeε can be visited from Saturday 20 May to Sunday 26 November 2023 at the Arsenale venue, during the 2023 Venice Architectural Biennale.
Project: Kwaeε
Architects: Adjaye Associates
Collaborators: Format Engineers
Wood Engineers: Xylotek
Photographers: Andrea Avezzù
