Shanghai's upcoming biennale, RAMa 2025, ventures beyond traditional architectural boundaries
The Rockbund Architecture Museum (RAMa) is hosting the architecture biennale in 2025, with Rachaporn Choochuey, the artistic director and cofounder of studio all(zone), at the helm. This biennale, RAMa 2025, stands out for its humility and realistic mission, avoiding the ponderous esoteric themes that often undermine the impact of architectural biennales.
Rachaporn Choochuey's vision is not to change the world, but to significantly impact one neighbourhood of one city. The biennale is taking place outdoors in public spaces and is free for all, making it accessible to everyone.
One of the key installations at RAMa 2025 is a gregarious yellow drinking fountain by WWWorks. This exuberant and cleverly designed fountain filters rainwater from an adjacent roof, providing much-needed hydration to thirsty passers-by. The design of the fountain exuberantly relates to nearby pipework, adding a playful touch to the urban landscape.
Alkhemist Architects have also contributed to the biennale with food stalls, providing a welcoming and inviting atmosphere. Rachaporn Choochuey herself has created a multicoloured polyethylene canopy, adding a splash of colour to the outdoor setting.
The six installations curated by Rachaporn Choochuey provide public amenities currently missing from the vicinity. Tangent Essays have created a long blue bench, offering a place for rest and relaxation. However, Studio Vapore's installation, clumps of moss aimed at provoking debate about the value of nature in urban space, has unfortunately failed to root and is turning brown due to Shanghai's heat.
Rachaporn Choochuey's goal for the biennale is to persuade the real-estate company controlling the area to allow a richer suite of amenities in public spaces. Despite the search results not providing information about the owner of the area or any public institutions that have refused something related to this event, the hope is that the positive impact of RAMa 2025 will encourage change.
Rachaporn Choochuey's design was previously used for the 2022 MPavilion in Melbourne, demonstrating her ability to create engaging and thought-provoking installations. With RAMa 2025, she continues to push the boundaries of what architecture can achieve, transforming public spaces and encouraging debate about the role of public amenities in our cities.
Read also:
- Naloxone dispensers installed at five train stations in Cook County Health and CTA initiative
- Nightfall signals the arrival of Mathieu Grondin in Ottawa, who seeks to invigorate the city's vibe post-sunset
- Preparedness-focused Watch Ultra 3 from Apple caters to high-end urban survivalists
- Gathering spot for interaction and delight transforms into a bakery
