On 5 October, the most recent iteration of Fertile Futures, the project that represented Portugal at the 18th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia 2023, opened at Arquipélago – Centro de Artes Contemporâneas. Curated by Andreia Garcia and assistant curated by Diogo Aguiar, the exhibition investigates the concept and experiences of water as a vital resource from different Portuguese geographies: in the Tâmega Basin, Douro Internacional, Médio Tejo, Albufeira do Alqueva, Perímetro de Rega do Rio Mira, Lagoa das Sete Cidades and Ribeiras Madeirenses.

Fertile Futures – Itinerant Laboratory presents a set of architectural and urban planning models imagined and designed by young professionals – possible solutions for a more abundant future that takes water management and preservation into account, along with all the intersectional implications it has for society and the economy.

The project comes to the Azores through the Order of Architects – Azores Regional Section, accompanied by a series of parallel activities, including talks – part of the Assemblies of Thought programme, which promotes reciprocal (re)learning based on the coexistence of knowledge – and a tour. The first initiative will take place on 12 October: a walk around the Sete Cidades Watershed in the company of Ilhéu Atelier, one of the studios in the exhibition. On 7 November, the Assembly of Insular Thought I will take place, moderated by Diogo Aguiar, and on 16 January 2025, the Assembly of Insular Thought II, moderated by Andreia Garcia.

As a partner in this initiative, Umbigo was invited to integrate and expand the Fertile Futures challenge with a special section in issue #86 of the magazine, as well as taking part in a closing debate at the Venice Architecture Biennale last year.

More information at https://fertilefutures.pt/.