World's most prestigious architecture festival shows human face of architecture

In an era when many countries are putting up border walls and barbed wire fences, the International Architecture Exhibition in Venice aims to showcase a “sense of humanity” through its displays, organisers said ahead of its opening Saturday. The world’s most prestigious architecture festival — which is part of the Venice Biennale — has chosen the title “Freespace” for its 16th edition in the picturesque Italian city. “The architect’s creativity must be at the service of the community,” Irish architect Shelley McNamara — who curated the vast exhibition with colleague Yvonne Farrell — told AFP. McNamara said “Freespace” aims to highlight collective spaces, “generosity of spirit” and the “sense of humanity” that architecture must place at the heart of its agenda. Sixty-five different countries and one hundred architecture studios have been invited to display their interpretation of the theme in the vast 3000 square metre Venetian Arsenal and gardens.