The head of Hashim Sarkis Studios (HSS), which has offices in Beirut and Boston, was selected as the director of the Venice Architecture Biennale 2020 by biennale president Paolo Baratta.

Sarkis has been the dean of the School of Architecture and Planning at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and has participated in past editions of the Biennale as both a member of the international jury and a participant in the United States and Albania pavilions. 

“With Hashim Sarkis, La Biennale has provided itself with a curator who is particularly aware of the topics and criticalities which the various contrasting realities of today’s society pose for our living space,” said Baratta on the appointment. 

“The world is putting new challenges in front of architecture,” said Sarkis. 

“I look forward to working with participating architects from around the world to imagine together how we are going to rise to these challenges.”

Sarkis' past architectural projects range from residential renovations in Massachusetts to urban plans in Lebanon. 

The Venice Architecture Bienale will run from 23 May - 29 November 2020, which a vernissage from 21 - 22 May.