Biennale

The Flood

from May 26 to June 26, 2005

    • Pas Palmas
    • Wilhelminakade 330, Rotterdam
    • Nederlands Architectuurinstituut (NAi)
    • Museumpark 25, Rotterdam

The title of the 2nd Architecture Biennale Rotterdam, The Flood, referred to the global consequences of climate change. In the twenty-first century, precipitation is expected to increase sharply, causing rivers to flood more frequently and sea levels to rise by one half to a full meter, with major consequences for low-lying urban areas. The Netherlands is therefore on the eve of significant spatial changes. 

The theme of the 2005 Biennale was ‘water’ in relation to architecture, urban design, and landscape architecture. In the Netherlands, rising sea levels, the need to strengthen dikes, and soil dehydration require far-reaching interventions. So far, water technology, water management, and water policy have played a key role in dealing with these issues; this has regularly led to one-sided, technocratic solutions. With five exhibitions, several publications, conferences, lectures, and a master class, the 2nd edition of the IABR showed how design can contribute to a more balanced relationship with water.

Opening: on 26 May 2005 by His Majesty Prince Willem-Alexander 

Visit website
De Zonvloed (The Flood) poster Design: 75B

Curator

    • Adriaan Geuze
    • Curatorial statement
    • Credits
The Flood. Photo: IABR
The Flood. Photo: IABR
The Flood. Photo: Hans Werlemann
The Flood. Photo: IABR
The Flood. Photo: IABR
The Flood. Photo: IABR
The Flood. Photo: IABR
The Flood. Photo: Hans Werlemann
The Flood. Photo: Hans Werlemann
The Flood. Photo: Hans Werlemann