A potential alternative to Portland cement. Wetland lab, an exhibition of work by Waiwai
31/10/2022.
[TOK] Japan 29.10 > 11.12.2022
metalocus, ADELA BONAS
metalocus, ADELA BONAS
Wetland is a research project into ecosystems and materials led by waiwai research and design agency, the research arm of waiwai, an award-winning architectural practice with offices in Dubai and Tokyo. The project proposes an environmentally friendly salt-based cement alternative inspired by sabkhas—crystalline salt formations found in wetlands in the United Arab Emirates.
The exhibition Wetland Lab from 29 October to 11 December 2022, at SRR Project Space, Shimokitazawa, Tokyo.
The exhibition Wetland Lab from 29 October to 11 December 2022, at SRR Project Space, Shimokitazawa, Tokyo.
Wetland Lab, 2021-ongoing by waiwai research and design agency. Photograph courtesy of waiwai
Crystallization experiments at waiwai office. Image courtesy National Pavilion UAE – La Biennale di Venezia and waiwai.
Model prototype of Wetland Lab by waiwai research and design agency. Image courtesy of waiwai.
Model prototype of Wetland Lab by waiwai research and design agency. Image courtesy of waiwai.
Image Courtesy National Pavilion UAE La Biennale di Venezia. Photography by Dina Khatib
Wetland Lab by waiwai research and design agency. Image courtesy of waiwai
Wetland Lab by waiwai research and design agency. Presented at Sharjah Architecture Triennale_s SAT Talks ReMaterialize, 2021. Image courtesy of waiwai
Material Research at Wetland Lab at Alserkal Avenue. Image courtesy National Pavilion UAE La Biennale di Venezia and waiwai. Photography by Sahil Abdul Latheef
National Pavilion UAE La Biennale di Venezia. Photography by Frederico Torra for PLANE-SITE.
Image courtesy Nat
This research began at the Pavilion of the UAE at the Venice Architecture Biennale in 2021, with the exhibition Wetland. The pavilion was awarded the Golden Lion for Best National Participation, the Biennale’s highest honour. The exhibition at SRR Project Space marks the first time the research is being exhibited in Japan.
The Wetland exhibition in Venice presented a prototype of a salt-based cement material made from recycled industrial waste brine, which has the potential to reduce the construction industry’s impact on the environment. This new material was devised as a potential alternative to commonly used Portland cement, which is responsible for 8% of global CO2 emissions. It uses salt as a binding agent and relies on a crystallization process inspired by the sabkhas of the UAE.
Wetland Lab by waiwai research and design agency. Image courtesy of waiwai.
The exhibition in Shimokitazawa is an opportunity to celebrate leading architects and researchers from the UAE and Japan, in line with SRR Project Space’s mission to promote the role of art, creativity, and technology in sustainable urban development.
A central theme of the exhibition is the ways in which technology can be used for the development of new construction materials that are uniquely suited to local ecosystems and environments. The work of waiwai research and design agency on view in the exhibition furthers SRR Project Space’s mission to connect the local community of Shimokitazawa with the latest research projects in contemporary art and design from around the world.
The Wetland exhibition in Venice presented a prototype of a salt-based cement material made from recycled industrial waste brine, which has the potential to reduce the construction industry’s impact on the environment. This new material was devised as a potential alternative to commonly used Portland cement, which is responsible for 8% of global CO2 emissions. It uses salt as a binding agent and relies on a crystallization process inspired by the sabkhas of the UAE.
Wetland Lab by waiwai research and design agency. Image courtesy of waiwai.
The exhibition in Shimokitazawa is an opportunity to celebrate leading architects and researchers from the UAE and Japan, in line with SRR Project Space’s mission to promote the role of art, creativity, and technology in sustainable urban development.
A central theme of the exhibition is the ways in which technology can be used for the development of new construction materials that are uniquely suited to local ecosystems and environments. The work of waiwai research and design agency on view in the exhibition furthers SRR Project Space’s mission to connect the local community of Shimokitazawa with the latest research projects in contemporary art and design from around the world.
More information
Venue / Localitation
SRR Project Space, Shimokitazawa, Tokyo, Japan.
Dates
Wetland Lab from 29 October to 11 December 2022.
Wael Al Awar, Kazuma Yamao. WAIWAI
waiwai is an architectural, landscape, urban, interior, and graphic design studio with offices in Dubai and Tokyo. Led by Wael Al Awar and Kazuma Yamao, the firm has worked on prominent cultural projects including the Jameel Arts Centre, CICOL and Hai d3 in Dubai; Otaru Harbor Café in Japan; Jeddah’s Hayy Jameel; and Wetland at the National Pavilion of the UAE, which was awarded the Golden Lion at the Venice Architecture Biennale in 2021.
waiwai takes a highly contextual approach to address social, environmental, and technological questions through design. Dubai and Tokyo foster distinct perspectives on the built and natural environment, on the way we live and work with one another and with the world around us. waiwai adopts a strategy that is rooted in ideas of living in each city but that also relies on the careful, attentive eye of the outsider for a wider view.
waiwai was named among the top 17 architects and top 50 influential designers of the year by Nikkei Magazine in 2019, recognized by Architectural Record's annual Design Vanguard issue as one of the top 10 emerging firms in the world in 2018 and included in Architectural Digest’s top 50 offices in the Middle East in 2017 and 2022. waiwai was a Shortlisted Nominee for the Aga Khan Architecture Award in 2019. The firm’s awards include the Golden Lion at the Venice Architecture Biennale in 2021; the Arab Architect Award in 2019; the New York Design Award 2018, Silver Medal; the Hong Kong Design Award 2018, Gold Medal; the First Prize at the AIA Middle East Design Awards in 2018; the London Design Award 2016, Silver Medal; and the SD Review Award, Tokyo, 2015, Shortlisted Nominee.
waiwai takes a highly contextual approach to address social, environmental, and technological questions through design. Dubai and Tokyo foster distinct perspectives on the built and natural environment, on the way we live and work with one another and with the world around us. waiwai adopts a strategy that is rooted in ideas of living in each city but that also relies on the careful, attentive eye of the outsider for a wider view.
waiwai was named among the top 17 architects and top 50 influential designers of the year by Nikkei Magazine in 2019, recognized by Architectural Record's annual Design Vanguard issue as one of the top 10 emerging firms in the world in 2018 and included in Architectural Digest’s top 50 offices in the Middle East in 2017 and 2022. waiwai was a Shortlisted Nominee for the Aga Khan Architecture Award in 2019. The firm’s awards include the Golden Lion at the Venice Architecture Biennale in 2021; the Arab Architect Award in 2019; the New York Design Award 2018, Silver Medal; the Hong Kong Design Award 2018, Gold Medal; the First Prize at the AIA Middle East Design Awards in 2018; the London Design Award 2016, Silver Medal; and the SD Review Award, Tokyo, 2015, Shortlisted Nominee.
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