Lagos-based Nigerian architect Tosin Oshinowo has garnered international acclaim at the 19th International Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia with her thought-provoking multimedia installation, Alternative Urbanism: The Self-Organised Markets of Lagos. Displayed at the Corderie in the Arsenale, the project, produced by Oshinowo Studio, received a Special Mention Award on May 10, 2025, for its innovative portrayal of Lagos’ informal markets as models of sustainable urbanism.

Curated under the Biennale’s theme Intelligens. Natural. Artificial. Collective., set by curator Carlo Ratti, Oshinowo’s installation examines the self-regulating ecosystems of three Lagos markets: Ladipo (second-hand automotive parts), Computer Village (electronics), and Katangua (clothing). These markets exemplify circular economies, thriving on repair, reuse, and resourcefulness in the face of scarcity. By presenting them as decentralized urban infrastructures, Oshinowo challenges conventional city planning and highlights their potential as blueprints for resilient, adaptive urban systems worldwide.

The installation captivates visitors with its immersive design. Three towering walls create an enclosure, their interiors animated with vivid video projections that capture the bustling energy of Lagos’ markets. Externally, large-scale maps made from recycled denim sourced from Katangua illustrate the markets’ spatial logic and logistical ingenuity. This dynamic presentation underscores the markets’ role as vibrant hubs of innovation and sustainability.

The Biennale jury, including Hans Ulrich Obrist, Paola Antonelli, and Mpho Matsipa, lauded Oshinowo’s work for offering “a glimpse into markets that process the waste of industrialized economies.” They described it as “a promising initiative for further research and knowledge production about markets in Africa,” emphasizing their importance as “prototypes for innovation” within robust, adaptive ecosystems. The Special Mention places Oshinowo alongside distinguished peers like Boonserm Premthada, whose Elephant Chapel won the Golden Lion.

Oshinowo, founder of Oshinowo Studio, is celebrated for her socially responsive architecture rooted in her Yoruba heritage. Her portfolio includes transformative projects like the Maryland Mall in Lagos and a community rebuilding initiative in northern Nigeria with the United Nations Development Programme. She also curated the 2023 Sharjah Architecture Triennial, The Beauty of Impermanence, reinforcing her influence in global architectural discourse.

Reflecting on her project, Oshinowo said, “Lagos’ markets show how communities can build resilient systems from limited resources. They’re not just places of trade but living examples of circularity and ingenuity.” Her work resonates with the Biennale’s call to rethink architecture through adaptation, addressing pressing global challenges like the climate crisis.

Oshinowo’s exploration of informal markets continues beyond Venice. As a 2024–2025 Loeb Fellow at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design, she is deepening her research into these urban systems, further amplifying their relevance to global urbanism. This fellowship underscores her ongoing commitment to redefining architectural practice through African perspectives.

Running until November 23, 2025, Alternative Urbanism: The Self-Organised Markets of Lagos invites visitors to reimagine urban futures through the lens of collective intelligence and sustainability. Oshinowo’s work not only elevates Lagos’ markets as global models but also cements her role as a visionary architect reshaping narratives of urban innovation.

For more on Oshinowo’s work, visit Oshinowo Studio. For Biennale details, see La Biennale di Venezia.