XENIA

— aNC, Atelier Local, Ateliermob, Colectivo Warehouse, Fala, fr-ia, JQTS, Nuno Valentim, Paula Santos, Pedra Líquida.

Ten Portuguese architecture studios share a table d’hôte in the monastery: aNC, Atelier Local, Ateliermob, Colectivo Warehouse, fala, Fr-Ia, JQTS, Pedra Liquida, Paula Santos and Nuno Valentim.

They are invited to reflect on the theme of xenia, which in Greek has a triple meaning of guest, host and stranger. Xenia is directly linked to the theme and titles of the biennale, To hold, to give, to receive. Just as giving cannot exist without someone willing to receive the gift, host and guest are mutually dependent on each other. The theme of xenia is relevant for architecture on multiple scales, of the private home, the town or city, and eventually also on the scale of a society. How we host guests and treat people deemed strangers is not only socially determined, but also architecturally. How can architecture host people, how can it welcome guests, how can it include strangers? Each studio brings their perspective to the table, often shown through the lens of their own work.

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