AAHA Venice Biennale 2023

Axonometric drawing of Toronto’s Little Jamaica neighborhood

SOCA has been invited by Architects Against Housing Alienation (AAHA) as a contributing architect representing Canada in the 18th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia, from May 20 to November 26, 2023.

AAHA will transform the Canada Pavilion in the Giardini into a campaign headquarters for equitable housing that rejects this concept of property and the financialized form of architecture that it implies. To address these issues, they will work with interdisciplinary and geographically dispersed teams comprised of activist organizations, advocates for non-alienated housing, and architects. They will collaborate to develop demands and create architectural projects to address housing alienation, presenting bold visions for equitable and deeply affordable housing in Canada. The AAHA goal is to mobilize all Canadians to join the call for safer, healthier, and more equitable housing.

Working with local activists and advocates, this exhibition illustrates a viable alternative to the economic and cultural displacement occurring in Toronto’s Little Jamaica neighbourhood. Reparative Architecture: Housing without Erasure!!!

 
 

Informational poster on population change in Little Jamaica

 

Informational poster on Community Land Trust virtual focus group

 
 

Elevation drawing of main street with mid-rise housing and community sports centre expansions

 
 
 

Dancehall musician Tenor Saw, photo by Beth Lesser

Informational poster on reparative planning

 
 

Elevation drawing of mid-rise expansion placed within existing block

 

Informational poster on unpacking Community Land Trusts

 
 
 
 

Elevation drawing of a proposal for a mixed-use laneway

Diagram of incremental housing proposal

 
 

Clara Lemontagne shopping at a grocery store in Little Jamaica run by Florrie Temple in 1978, photo by Mike Slaughter, Toronto Archives

Elevation drawing of a mixed-use apartment block

 

View of Reggae Lane