UIA World Congress of Architecture 2026 Inaugurated in Barcelona with a Focus on Planetary Transitions
The 29th UIA World Congress of Architecture commenced on June 28, 2026, in Barcelona, Spain, under the overarching theme, "Becoming. Architectures for a Planet in Transition." This significant international event, organized by the International Union of Architects, returns to Barcelona three decades after its initial hosting, solidifying the city's role as the UNESCO World Capital of Architecture for 2026. The Congress, which runs until July 2, 2026, aims to gather a diverse assembly of 10,000 professionals, students, and institutional representatives from over 130 countries, fostering a multidisciplinary approach to address the future of architectural practice in the face of profound global shifts.
The Congress's core program is structured around six thematic axes designed to provoke critical discourse on the evolving architectural landscape. These axes include "Becoming More-than-human," exploring the integration of natural and built environments; "Becoming Circular," focusing on resource cycles and sustainable construction; "Becoming Embodied," delving into the materiality and physical aspects of architecture; "Becoming Interdependent," examining governance and societal connections; "Becoming Hyper-Conscious," addressing digital systems and emerging technologies; and "Becoming Attuned," exploring cultural production and the poetic dimensions of space. The event's curatorial team, comprising Pau Bajet, Mariona Benedito, Maria Giramé, Tomeu Ramis, Pau Sarquella, and Carmen Torres, in collaboration with the Scientific Committee led by honorary president Fuensanta Nieto, has meticulously crafted a program that encourages a broad and critical examination of architecture's potential futures.
A key highlight of the Congress is the Central Exhibition, titled "Becoming. Architectures for a Planet in Transition," hosted at the historic Three Chimneys complex in Sant Adrià de Besòs. This expansive 4,000-square-meter space has been transformed into a dynamic laboratory for architectural experimentation and exchange. It features 12 Research by Design commissions and over 200 contributions from Congress speakers, presented through various mediums such as installations, prototypes, models, and audiovisual works. These exhibits explore critical topics like water scarcity, circular construction using waste materials, the subtle forces shaping space, and the use of spatial investigation for public accountability. Notably, the exhibition showcases projects from Colectivo C733 on wastewater reuse in Mexico City, BAUKUNST and BC Architects on sustainable material cycles, H Arquitectes and BRUTHER on atmospheric influences, and Forensic Architecture on geopolitical spatial analysis. Additionally, the exhibition displays outcomes from the International Emerging Workshop, involving 180 students from around the world, as well as winning entries from the UNESCO-UIA student competition 'Catalysts of Resilience' and the 'Architecture in the Aftermath of Disasters' young architects competition. Following its initial exclusive access for accredited participants, the exhibition will open to the general public from July 3 to 19, activating the space with public events, debates, and community gatherings.
The Congress agenda is packed with engaging sessions and events spread across multiple venues in Barcelona. The Barcelona International Convention Centre (CCIB) will host over 250 international speakers and 60 participants from UIA working bodies, conducting more than 40 sessions, including plenary discussions, debates, open forums, workshops, new research presentations, award ceremonies, and public celebrations. The Disseny Hub Barcelona (DHub) will offer free public access to talks and activities featuring prominent architectural schools, institutions, and associations worldwide, alongside an exhibition showcasing 207 exemplary works of Spanish architecture from the past three decades. The daily schedule includes two plenary sessions, one in the morning and another in the late afternoon, designed to synthesize and advance the discussions.
The extensive program addresses urgent contemporary issues, including the global climate emergency, the pervasive housing crisis, the push for circularity and sustainability in construction materials, and the evolving nature of public spaces at both large and intimate scales. It also delves into specialized subjects such as the future responsibilities and role of architectural awards and specific case studies like the DANA floods in Valencia. The Congress commenced with a focus on ecology and circularity, featuring insights from Junya Ishigami on nature-architecture integration, Kate Orff and Dirk Sijmons on water management, and Lacaton & Vassal discussing building longevity with H Arquitectes. Subsequent days will explore materials, housing, and the economics of the common good with figures like Marina Tabassum, Palinda Kannangara, Jan Gehl, and Mariana Mazzucato, culminating in the UIA Gold Medal ceremony at the Sagrada Família. The program will also venture into speculative territories, examining computation and AI in architecture with Mario Carpo, geopolitical space with Forensic Architecture, and the poetic dimensions of the discipline through the works of Smiljan Radić and Alexander Brodsky. The Congress will conclude with the reading of its Manifesto and the official handover to Beijing, the host city for the 2029 UIA World Congress of Architects.
This comprehensive Congress serves as a vital platform for addressing the multifaceted challenges and opportunities facing architecture in a rapidly changing world, fostering collaboration and innovation to shape a more resilient and equitable built environment for the future.