Architects Against Housing Alienation to represent Canada at international architectural exhibition

By CityNews Kitchener Staff

A collective of “activist architects” has been selected to represent Canada at the 18th Venice Biennale of Architecture, an international architectural exhibition. 

Architects Against Housing Alienation (AAHA) is a collective that includes University of Waterloo School of Architecture faculty members Adrian Blackwell and David Fortin, as well as faculty from the University of British Columbia. 

AAHA was selected by Canada Council for the Arts to curate the exhibition at the Canada Pavilion in Venice, Italy, which opens in May 2023.

There, they will present their non-traditional exhibit, Not For Sale!, which acts as a campaign advocating for a response to Canada's protracted housing crisis. 

“It is crucial that we respond to Canada’s deep housing crisis,” said Fortin. “With this campaign we hope we can energize Canadians to join the call for safe, equitable and affordable housing. Together with Indigenous leaders, activists, advocates, and architects, we will create a campaign for accessible and affordable housing for all.”

Ten teams will identify a region-specific housing need and develop a visionary housing proposal in time for the opening of the Biennale; they will be shared at the pavilion and online.

Each team is composed of a housing activist organization, an architectural practice, and an advocate with special housing knowledge.

The exhibition starts May 20, 2023, and runs until Nov. 26, 2023. 

You can learn more here

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