Nexion unveils "Make/Believe" installation in collaboration with A for Architecture at Venice Biennale, 2023

Nexion and A for Architecture collaborate for the highly esteemed and influential Venice Architecture Biennale, 2023. Curated by the renowned architect, architecture professor, and writer #lesleylokko, the exhibition is titled "The Laboratory of the Future."

Nexion is set to make its mark at Palazzo Mora during the event, participating in the prestigious sixth edition of "Time Space Existence" organized by the ECC, a collateral event at the Biennale. This parallel exhibition, a focal point of the Biennale, will represent the collective work of over two hundred visionary artists and architects. Opening its doors on May 20th, the exhibition promises to captivate visitors until November 26th, 2023, in the enchanting city of Venice. 

"Time Space Existence" will draw attention to the emerging expressions, conversations, and innovations regarding sustainability in its various forms, ranging from architectural, environmental, and urban landscape considerations. In response to climate change, participants will explore the tensions between the urban environment and the surrounding nature, identifying opportunities for coexistence. Additionally, some will address the theme of social justice by presenting housing solutions designed for displaced communities and minorities.

Following this theme, the concept of Nexion's installation stems from shared values with A for Architecture: #collaboration, craftsmanship, attention to detail, societal engagement, efficiency, and a conscious approach to sustainability and quality of life.

A for Architecture, located in Nashik, a Tier 2 city in India, is poised to witness significant urbanization in the coming years. In this context, environmentally conscious architectural development is crucial to ensuring a good quality of life for its residents. Within this framework, #nexion collaborates on the installation titled "Make/Believe", conceived by Ajay Sonar, founder of A for Architecture, and Shreyank Khemalapure together with his team. The architect employs scraps, broken tiles, and second-choice tiles to create a welcoming space for interaction, while staying true to the materiality that A for Architecture promotes in its designs. Visitors are invited to sit, engage, and experience the installation firsthand. The exhibition walls will narrate the story of Nashik and its transformation, highlighting the focus on the development of Tier 2 cities in India, as well as showcasing A for Architecture's history through completed projects and scale models, bringing these projects to life.

The "Make/Believe" installation takes inspiration from the low cost project called "House of Node," which focuses on three key imperatives: the agricultural lifestyle and routines of the inhabitants, their limited budget of less than €25,000, and the architectural context of Nashik's evolving rural settlement. The project explores future architecture in this context, considering the residents' quality of life, comfort, and the preservation of the surrounding landscape. Comprehensive design decisions were made with these three imperatives in mind. For instance, the house's flooring was bent to create a diwan (low seating), a staircase, closets, beds, a study area, and window seats. This design approach considers optimal sitting, sleeping, and working postures while simultaneously reducing the need for additional furniture expenses. Additionally, the house's foundation extends to become the “otla” (sitting platform) at the street node, encouraging neighborhood-scale interactions.

The resulting installation highlights these values found in the “House at Node” and the aesthetic capacities of raw ceramic tiles, elevating them as an integral element of the materiality and of the installation object.

With a conscious approach, the aim is to creatively utilize ceramic industry waste materials. The installation invites engagement and reflection by presenting layers of tiles with a texture resembling the raw clay, rather than the typical glazed surface. The #collaboration between A for Architecture and #nexion sheds light on the parallels that can be drawn between the volume of waste generated during building construction and the tile production process, with the goal of achieving material reuse and recycling.