Promotion: under the theme Becoming Architectures for a planet in transition, an extensive programme has been revealed for the UIA World Congress of Architects 2026 Barcelona, which includes over 200 speakers.
Taking place from 28 June to 2 July in Barcelona, the five-day event will welcome over 10,000 people, including practitioners, students and institutions from over 130 countries.
“With a multidisciplinary approach, Barcelona will become, for five days, a global laboratory and hub for debating forthcoming ecological, social, material, and cultural transitions,” the organisation said.
Spanish architect Andrés Jaque will speak at the event. Photo by Miguel de Guzmán
This year’s edition has been chosen by a curatorial team of international architects, including Pau Bajet, Mariona Benedito, Maria Giramé, Tomeu Ramis, Pau Sarquella and Carmen Torres.
The programme will present a selection of talks, exhibitions, and workshops, each operating under the theme of Becoming. Architectures for a planet in transition, which will explore how time can be viewed as a design tool, while encouraging action on environmental challenges.
This theme will be complemented by six interconnected lines of research.
This includes Becoming More-Than-Human, which focuses on addressing ecological coexistence; Becoming Circular, exploring material circularity and energy recirculation; and Becoming Embodied, which examines transitions between materials and construction.
Becoming Interdependent will explore how design can be used as a tool to enhance “cooperation, care, and mutual solidarity”, while Becoming Hyper-Conscious, will look at data and technologies.
Finally, Becoming Attuned will investigate poetic beauty narratives in everyday practices.
Yasmeen Lari will also speak at the event. Photo courtesy of Yasmeen Lari
The programme also includes Research by Design, a series of original research-based projects led by 12 international studios, which will focus on rethinking how we design and build.
“These practices challenge the inertias through which our habitats have been shaped – habitats marked by global warming, social change, and new technological and legal frameworks – and they rehearse new relationships between architecture, territory, climate, and society,” the organisers said.
“A plurality of voices that opens onto a broad and critical horizon of architecture’s possible futures.”
The theme ‘Becoming. Architectures for a planet in transition’ was chosen by the curatorial team. Photo by Silvia Poch
According to the organisers, the event will bring key industry figures together to “imagine new futures for architecture”.
Speaking at the event alongside Jaque and Lari will be French architecture studio Lacaton & Vassal, Dutch architect Anne Holtrop and Mexican architect Tatiana Bilbao, among many others selected for having been at the “forefront of architectural thinking and practice in recent years”.
Additionally, a public programme of workshops for students and young architects will take place during the week preceding the festival, along with a month-long public exhibition.
This will also include the International Emerging Workshop, led by 12 emerging practices, which will bring more than 180 students and young architects to the event.
Tatiana Bilbao will be among those speaking at the event. Photo by Ana Hop
This year’s edition will also introduce a critical antagonist for some of the talks, aimed at stimulating debate and opening up new perspectives during the talks.
Industry figures set to fill the role include Enrique Walker, Giovanna Borasi and Mariana Mazzucato.
Anne Holtrop will also contribute to the event. Photo by Ishaq Madan
The programme will take place across a selection of venues in the city, including the Barcelona International Convention Centre and the Three Chimneys.
By hosting the event, Barcelona is set to become the World Capital of Architecture, with activities taking place throughout the year.
“All Congress venues form an interconnected metropolitan axis that enhances the urban character of the event while highlighting the city’s relationship with its maritime frontage,” the organisation said.
The programme will take place across several venues, including the Three Chimneys. Photo by Arnau Rovira
The event is being organised by the International Union of Architects, the Higher Council of the Orders of Architects of Spain, the Architects’ Association of Catalonia, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Agenda of Spain, the Government of Catalonia, and the Barcelona City Council.
To learn more about the UIA World Congress of Architects 2026 Barcelona, visit its website.
To purchase tickets, visit this page.
The photography is by Arnau Rovira unless otherwise stated.
UIA World Congress of Architects 2026 takes place from 28 June to 2 July 2026 at various locations across Barcelona, Spain. See Dezeen Events Guide for an up-to-date list of architecture and design events taking place around the world.
Partnership content
This article was written by Dezeen for the UIA World Congress of Architects as part of a partnership. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.