The Sharjah Architecture Triennial 2026, under the direction of Rao and Tavengwa, will bring fresh, global insights on architecture, sustainability, and urbanism.

BY KAZEEM ADELEKE, ARTCENTRON

SHARJAH, UAE- The Sharjah Architecture Triennial (SAT) has long served as a critical platform for exploring contemporary issues in architecture and urbanism. The event is preparing for its third edition in 2026 (SAT03). Anticipation is rising around the visionary leadership of Vyjayanthi Rao and Tau Tavengwa. These two renowned figures bring unique expertise to the triennial. They will offer fresh perspectives on how architecture shapes cities, neighborhoods, and societies across West Asia, South Asia, and Africa. The 2026 edition will focus on sustainability, inclusive design, and urban transformation. It promises to be a groundbreaking exploration of architecture’s role in addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing global cities today. Through their innovative curatorial approach, Rao and Tavengwa aim to redefine how people experience, think about, and practice architecture in the Global South and beyond.

Vyjayanthi Rao: Bridging Anthropology, Urbanism, and Art

Vyjayanthi Rao’s work as a curator and scholar reflects her intellectual commitment to socio-cultural anthropology. Her focus is on the built environment and urban dynamics. Rao’s curatorial projects and scholarly writings explore the complexities of urbanism and architecture in India and the United States. Her research on these regions offers invaluable insights into how sociocultural forces, economic pressures, and historical contexts shape cities.

As the curator of SAT03, Rao aims to draw on her background to create a platform for rethinking urban environments. Rao’s curatorial practice is enriched by extensive fieldwork. He relentlessly strives to involve the public in discussions about architecture’s role in shaping human societies. For her, architecture is not just about buildings. It is about the lived experiences of people interacting with those spaces.

Her multidisciplinary approach fuses anthropology, art, and urban studies, creating a curatorial vision that invites new, research-driven perspectives. Rao’s collaborations have included high-profile projects like the 2022 Lisbon Architecture Triennale, where she presented the exhibition Multiplicity. The themes explored in this exhibition are likely to influence her direction for the Sharjah Architecture Triennial. The Triennial emphasizes process as a core component of architectural innovation.

Tau Tavengwa: A Visionary in Urbanism and Publishing

Tau Tavengwa joins Rao as associate curator for SAT03. Tavengwa has long been a prominent figure in discussions on urbanism from a Global South perspective. As the founder and editor of Cityscapes Magazine, Tavengwa has positioned himself as an influential voice in urbanism and architecture. His work with CS Studio, an interdisciplinary urbanism studio, seeks to redefine how people understand and engage with cities. The studio emphasizes experimental, multidisciplinary approaches.

Tavengwa’s experience in curating and publishing is unparalleled. His work spans prestigious architectural biennales, including the Rotterdam Architecture Biennial and the Lisbon Architecture Triennale. Tavengwa brings a wealth of knowledge about the complexities of urban development in rapidly changing cities, particularly in Africa and South Asia. His focus on inclusive urbanism reflects his commitment to exploring alternative frameworks for understanding cities, which are often overlooked in mainstream architectural discourse.

Together with Vyjayanthi Rao, Tavengwa’s role in SAT03 creates a dynamic curatorial partnership. Their combined expertise in architecture, anthropology, and urban publishing will shape the Triennial’s core agenda. The emphasis will be on propositional approaches to urbanism, rather than mere representations of existing structures.

A New Vision for SAT03: Reimagining Architecture’s Role

The Sharjah Architecture Triennial (SAT) has always sought to engage with the urgent challenges facing contemporary urban environments. For SAT03, Rao and Tavengwa will build on the Triennial’s commitment to research, innovation, and knowledge-sharing. Their curatorial framework will emphasize process as a tool for generating fresh architectural and urban ideas. These ideas will address the social, environmental, and political challenges facing the Global South and beyond.

Both curators are keen to foster dialogue that extends beyond the traditional boundaries of architecture. Their collaboration with the SAT team will leverage Sharjah’s ongoing urban transformation and its rich community networks. Together, they aim to tackle pressing issues such as sustainability, urban inequality, and inclusive design.

Vyjayanthi Rao has expressed her excitement about contributing to the Sharjah Architecture Triennial. She highlights that this edition will offer an opportunity to reimagine what a triennial can be, especially in the context of urban centers in the Global South. Both curators are committed to ensuring that SAT03 is more than a platform for intellectual discourse. They hope to make it a catalyst for action. Their goal is to leave behind a legacy of tangible strategies and ideas.

Sharjah Architecture Triennial: Global Dialogue on Urbanism

The Sharjah Architecture Triennial (SAT) is a vital site for bringing together architectural and urban thinkers from around the world. The event provides an exceptional opportunity to explore how designers can leverage architecture and urban design to address some of the most pressing concerns facing cities today.

Since its inception in 2018, SAT has consistently emphasized the importance of community engagement and inclusive design. The focus on urbanism from a Global South perspective makes the Triennial a key platform for cross-cultural exchange. It allows architects, scholars, and urbanists to collaborate. The event allows them to find solutions to challenges posed by rapid urbanization, environmental degradation, and social inequality.

In the lead-up to SAT03 in 2026, growing anticipation surrounds the event’s potential. The offer of new frameworks for understanding cities and neighborhoods is exciting many designers. This anticipation is especially important in the context of socio-economic diversity and environmental sustainability. The triennial will contribute to expanding the conversation on the role of designers in the ever-changing world. It will address how designers can shape cities to meet the needs of residents while remaining responsive and inclusive.

Public Engagement: A Key Component of SAT03

Public engagement will be central to SAT03. Vyjayanthi Rao and Tau Tavengwa aim to involve communities from around the world in shaping the Triennial’s direction. The “Meet the Curators” session on May 10, 2025, will provide a unique opportunity for audiences. It will provide them the opportunity to engage directly with the curatorial team. In addition, the engagement will offer valuable insights into the evolving curatorial vision for 2026.

The “Meet the Curators” event will take place at Al Qasimiyah School, Sharjah. It marks a significant moment for the Triennial, laying the groundwork for public-facing dialogue in the years leading up to the 2026 event. Early engagement will allow participants to understand the curatorial team’s approach. More importantly, it will highlight their vision for the future of architecture and urbanism within the Global South.

Sharjah Architecture Triennial: A Transformative Moment

The appointment of Vyjayanthi Rao and Tau Tavengwa as curators for SAT03 marks an exciting new chapter for the Sharjah Architecture Triennial. Their multidisciplinary expertise in anthropology, urbanism, and art enables them to bring fresh perspectives to the event. Accordingly, their efforts will push the boundaries of architectural discourse in a new direction. Above all, it will foster innovation, public engagement, and cross-cultural exchange.

As the world grapples with pressing urban challenges, SAT03 promises to be innovative. It strives to be a catalyst for conversations that reflect on the built environment that helps shape the future of urbanism in a rapidly changing world.

• Featured image: Left: Vyjayanthi Rao. Photo: Alfonse Chiu. Courtesy of Vyjayanthi Rao. Right: Tau Tavengwa. Photo: Samer Moukarzel. Courtesy of Tau Tavengwa.