John Harris – Architecture and Modernity in Dubai

On Thursday 2 October 2014, the National Pavilion of the United Arab Emirates is presenting a seminar entitled “John Harris – Architecture and Modernity in Dubai” at the Venice Biennale. The event will be focusing on the 1970s and ‘80s , a period of rapid urban growth in the UAE, which drew architects from all over the world.
John Harris is a British architect who trained at the Architectural Association School of Architecture in London; he laid the foundation of modern Dubai with its first urban plan in 1960, followed by an updated master plan in 1971. 
This event in Venice explores the approach of Harris to design, who grappled with limited resources but still managed to understand the context and respond to the cultural and climatic conditions in Dubai. What can we learn from that period about the changing role of architecture and the challenges of ‘sustainable’ architectural development today?
The seminar is organised by the National Pavilion of the United Arab Emirates in the Corderie dell'Arsenale (Venice); Adina Hempel will be leading the discussion, with the participation of Todd Reisz (architect and editor), Mark Harris (architect and son of John Harris), and Marco Sosa (architect and photographer). 

(Christiane Bürklein)

The National Pavilion of the United Arab Emirates is organising “John Harris – Architecture and Modernity in Dubai” at the 14^th international architecture exhibition of the Venice Biennale.
Date: 2 October 2014
Time: from 2:00 to 5:00 pm
Location: Corderie dell'Arsenale, Venice Biennale.
Photography: Courtesy of National Pavilion United Arab Emirates at the 14^th international architecture exhibition of the Venice Biennale
Links: Dubai under Construction, National Pavilion United Arab Emirates

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