Architectural Cases

The Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale's latest iteration presents a remarkable fusion of artistic expression and innovative spatial design. This year's event transcends traditional exhibition formats, offering visitors an immersive journey through a reimagined industrial landscape. The curatorial approach delves into themes of migration, cultural exchange, and the enduring power of collective narratives, emphasizing how societies are continuously shaped by dynamic interactions and historical movements. The exhibition serves as a vibrant platform where diverse artistic voices converge, fostering a deeper understanding of global interconnectedness and the rich tapestry of human experience.

Diriyah Biennale Unveils 'Interludes and Transitions' with Formafantasma's Groundbreaking Design

From January 30th to May 2nd, 2026, the JAX District in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, hosts the third edition of the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale, aptly titled 'In Interludes and Transitions'. The distinguished design studio Formafantasma, renowned for its innovative approach, is responsible for the exhibition's spatial transformation. They have meticulously re-envisioned the raw industrial architecture of JAX, spanning an impressive 12,900 square meters of halls, courtyards, and terraces. The design employs a palette of vivid colors and elegantly curved planes, creating a seamless and rhythmic flow that guides visitors through the expansive artistic offerings.

Co-Artistic Directors Nora Razian and Sabih Ahmed have meticulously curated this profound event, bringing together 68 artists hailing from over 37 different nations. The biennale proudly features more than 25 newly commissioned works, all contributing to the overarching theme of 'movement as a method'. This curatorial vision draws inspiration from a poignant colloquial Arabic expression, evoking the cyclical nature of encampment and journey. This conceptual framework encourages contemplation on the intricate processes of migration, the transmission of knowledge, and the profound transformations that have shaped the Arab region over centuries, through the circulation of people, trade, and ideas.

A central pillar of the 2026 edition is the profound role of musicality, underscoring the significance of oral and aural traditions as vital repositories of social history. This emphasis is powerfully embodied in 'Folding the Tents', a specially commissioned procession by the talented Saudi artist Mohammed Alhamdan. This captivating work embarks on a journey through the picturesque Wadi Hanifah and the bustling JAX District, culminating in a mesmerizing performance by the Miniawy Trio. Their artistic expression explores the fascinating evolution of ancient collective practices within the dynamic landscape of contemporary electric and digital cultures.

Organized by the esteemed Diriyah Biennale Foundation, the exhibition not only serves as a site for artistic production but also as a vital meeting ground for cultural exchange. As Razian and Ahmed eloquently articulate, viewing the world through the lens of 'procession' allows for an appreciation of cultural forms defined by their routes, rhythms, and relationships, rather than being confined by fixed origins.

This year's Diriyah Biennale truly stands as a testament to the power of art to transcend boundaries and foster dialogue. The innovative exhibition design by Formafantasma, combined with the profound curatorial vision, creates an unforgettable experience. It reminds us that art is not merely about static objects in a gallery, but a living, breathing entity that reflects and shapes our understanding of the world. The emphasis on movement, cultural flows, and the historical significance of oral traditions offers a rich perspective on human interconnectedness. Events like these are crucial for encouraging cross-cultural understanding and appreciating the diverse narratives that form our global community. They inspire us to look beyond fixed notions and embrace the fluid, evolving nature of culture and identity.

Luca Poian Forms and Frade Arquitectos are spearheading the creation of the EMT Museum in Madrid, an architectural endeavor set to become a significant cultural institution. This museum, dedicated to the rich history of Madrid's public transportation system, is envisioned as a prominent civic presence on the former site of the Vicente Calderón Stadium. The design harmonizes with its surroundings through carefully considered geometry and a distinctive, lightweight exterior. Its substantial scale is balanced by a soft profile and tactile materials, making it a compelling addition to the urban landscape while celebrating the city's transit heritage.

The museum's design focuses on both functional efficiency and aesthetic appeal, providing ample space for historical exhibits, interactive displays, and community engagement. The integration of advanced environmental systems ensures a sustainable future for the building, while its adaptable interiors promise to accommodate evolving curatorial and programmatic needs. This project stands as a testament to innovative architectural thought, combining a deep respect for industrial legacy with a forward-looking vision for public spaces.

Architectural Vision and Material Innovation

The collaborative efforts of Luca Poian Forms and Frade Arquitectos have culminated in the conceptualization of Madrid's EMT Museum, an emblematic structure designed to honor the city's public transit evolution. Situated on the former grounds of the Vicente Calderón Stadium, this project distinguishes itself with a measured geometric approach and a facade crafted from a translucent ETFE membrane. This innovative exterior not only diminishes the building's perceived mass but also allows natural light to permeate, casting dynamic internal reflections throughout the day. From the riverbank, the museum's appearance is one of luminosity and transparency, its surface subtly reacting to environmental shifts rather than presenting a static image. This thoughtful integration of material and design positions the museum as a responsive and engaging landmark within Madrid's urban fabric, inviting visitors to explore its depths with a sense of wonder and appreciation for architectural ingenuity.

The exterior of the museum is enveloped by a pioneering translucent ETFE skin, meticulously engineered to moderate the building's physical presence and integrate it harmoniously with its surroundings. This advanced material acts as a filter for natural light, imbuing the interior spaces with an ethereal glow and creating an ever-changing ambiance that evolves with the sun's trajectory. This delicate interplay of light and shadow is central to the museum's identity, offering a soft counterpoint to the city's more robust architectural styles. The design ensures that the building is not merely a container for history but an active participant in its environment, reflecting the dynamic spirit of Madrid. This facade, while visually light, is also a marvel of engineering, contributing to the museum's overall infrastructural scale while maintaining a welcoming and accessible aesthetic, setting a new benchmark for contemporary museum design.

Dynamic Interior and Sustainable Design

The EMT Museum, conceived by Luca Poian Forms and Frade Arquitectos, is designed as a dynamic and institutional space dedicated to the chronicles of Madrid's public transport. Its conception arose from an international competition, emphasizing themes of movement, logistical precision, and collective memory. The spatial organization draws inspiration from industrial depots and hangars, reinterpreting these elements into a modern architectural vernacular focused on efficiency and long-term flexibility. The facility seamlessly blends public exhibition zones with operational areas, facilitated by clear and intuitive circulation pathways that ensure smooth daily operations. Visitors are welcomed into a versatile ground-level space, ideal for exhibitions, workshops, conferences, and community gatherings. The generous and legible circulation routes encourage unhurried exploration through the galleries while maintaining efficient behind-the-scenes functionality, allowing the museum to serve as a vibrant public interior adaptable to varying curatorial and programmatic demands, thereby fostering a deep connection with the city's past and present.

At the core of the EMT Museum's design are vast, column-free exhibition halls specifically engineered to display historical buses at their full scale. These expansive spaces are supported by a robust reinforced concrete bridge system, capable of bearing significant loads for both display purposes and movement, thus preserving spatial continuity. Surrounding and above this core structure, a lightweight metal framework supports the ETFE envelope, establishing a captivating juxtaposition between the enduring strength of industrial materials and the delicate visual lightness of the facade. Material selections prioritize resilience and high performance; concrete surfaces offer thermal stability and a tangible sense of permanence, while the ETFE facade introduces a quality of softness and translucency. This deliberate interplay between contrasting systems creates interiors that feel both expansive and serene, bathed in diffused light and offering extensive sightlines across the exhibition areas. Furthermore, the building incorporates an integrated environmental strategy, with the ETFE air-cushion facade serving as a passive climatic regulator, optimizing light and temperature while minimizing energy consumption. Its inherent lightweight and recyclable properties underscore a commitment to sustainability, ensuring the museum's long-term environmental viability without compromising its spatial quality or structural integrity. Complementing the physical architecture, digital tools, including augmented reality and interactive media, are seamlessly woven throughout the museum to enhance interpretation and engagement, extending the visitor experience beyond static displays and into an immersive exploration of Madrid's transit heritage.