Character BUILDINGS

Rolex is about more than just luxury timepieces, as the Swiss watchmaker continues to champion architects and sustainable architecture at this year's La Biennale di Venezia.

- ABDUL AZIZ DRAIM

This year marks the 18th edition of the international architecture exhibition, La Biennale di Venezia, the world's foremost architectural forum for new ideas. Taking place in Venice, Italy at the Giardini and the Arsenale, and at Forte Marghera, the exhibition this year is themed "The Laboratory of the Future" and for the very first time throws its focus on Africa. Led by event curator Ghanaian-Scottish academic and educator Lesley Lokko, the unprecedented direction sees more than half of the event's near 100 contributors composed of African and Diasporan practitioners whose work engages directly with the Biennale theme and commitment to carbon neutrality-with topics that include decolonisation and decarbonisation-to pave the way to a more environmentally friendly, sustainable future.

"Africa is the laboratory of the future," says Lokko. "We envisage our exhibition as a laboratory where architects and practitioners across an expanded field of creative disciplines draw out examples from their contemporary practices that chart a path for the audience."

Much like before, Rolex remains the Exclusive Partner and Official Timepiece of the prestigious event. The luxury watchmaker has always had a strong link to architecture, finding a kindred spirit in the discipline. After all, much like watchmaking, architecture marries artistic vision with technical excellence, placing the strength of design at the forefront of its practice.