Lebanon-born architect Lina Ghotmeh has been chosen to design Qatar’s permanent pavilion at the Venice Biennale. The pavilion, located in the historic Giardini della Biennale, will be only the third addition to the area in over 50 years. Ghotmeh’s design is characterized by its architectural clarity and thoughtful response to the pavilion’s historic context, creating a cultural bridge between Qatar and the global community.
Ghotmeh’s practice is rooted in a deep connection with history and nature, often incorporating sustainable materials and integrating buildings into their surroundings. Her notable projects include the 22nd Serpentine Pavilion, the Estonian National Museum, and a forthcoming redesign of the Western Range galleries at the British Museum.
Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, chair of Qatar Museums, praised Ghotmeh’s work, saying, “Lina has a worldview and sensibility that has grown from her native Lebanon to reach across cultures.”
Ghotmeh expressed her excitement, stating, “I’m thrilled to be designing the permanent Qatar Pavilion in the Giardini for La Biennale di Venezia. This is a unique and deeply meaningful commissionโset within a place where art, architecture, and creative disciplines come together to bridge cultures through a shared, unspoken language.”
The pavilion will feature a flexible and adaptable interior, allowing exhibitors to transform the space into their own creative visions. Although it won’t be ready for the Architecture Biennale in May, the site will house an installation by Pakistani architect Yasmeen Lari.
Image Courtesy: theartnewspaper.com
