The Sharjah Architecture Triennial (SAT), through its Al Manakh Spaces initiative, launched the first in its series of events, Al Manakh Spaces Talks. This series of talks, conversations, and tours is linked to the Al Manakh bio-farm and its community-based programming. It aims to broaden dialogue on sustainable farming and community engagement in the UAE by positioning the bio-farm within the wider context of architecture, agriculture, and food systems.
The inaugural talk, titled
Pressure Cooker: Greenhouses and the Architecture of Farming, featured
Azza Aboualam, Curator of the 2025 National Pavilion UAE at the Venice Architecture Biennale, Assistant Professor at Zayed University, and Co-Founder of Holesum Studio. Aboualam’s research and curatorial work explore the intersection of architecture and food production in the UAE, posing the question: using the UAE as a case study, how can architecture be mobilised for greater food security? Her work highlighted how architecture can address critical global challenges, particularly at the intersection of sustainability and food systems.
This inaugural event marked the launch of Al Manakh Spaces Talks, a continuing series that brings the community together to explore architecture, food culture, cooking practices, and sustainable living. It combined knowledge, experience, and dialogue in a uniquely immersive setting.
