Commodity 2505


Territory has been commoditized.

The United Nations Comtrade database classifies “territory” under Commodity Code 2505. Today, the economics of global construction projects have transformed Commodity 2505 from the rawest of raw materials into global commodities, the second-most extracted substance on earth after only water, shipped hundreds of miles and across international borders, held in actuarial suspension alongside thousands of other goods.

Commodity 2505 is the vector that transforms territory into architecture — but you probably know it as “sand”.

Commodity 2505 was exhibited at Knowlton School of Architecture as part of “Fulfilled”, an exhibition organized by Outpost Office, February 2020.

All exhibition photos credit Outpost Office / Knowlton School of Architecture