The UIA World Congress of Architects 2026 in Barcelona has announced its comprehensive program, outlining the event's format, participants, and diverse activities scheduled from June 28 to July 2, 2026. Expanding on its central theme, 'Becoming. Architectures for a Planet in Transition,' the Congress is designed as a city-wide experience rather than a single-site conference. Organized by the International Union of Architects (UIA) in collaboration with the Higher Council of the Colleges of Architects of Spain (CSCAE) and the Architects' Association of Catalonia (COAC), this significant gathering is expected to draw approximately 10,000 attendees and 250 speakers from over 130 nations.
The Congress's core activities will take place from June 29 to July 1 at key venues including the Barcelona International Convention Centre, the Disseny Hub Barcelona, and the Three Chimneys complex in Sant Adrià de Besòs. The broader event schedule extends before and after these dates, featuring a rich array of exhibitions, workshops, and themed itineraries throughout the region. Discussions will revolve around six primary axes: Becoming More-than-human, Becoming Circular, Becoming Embodied, Becoming Interdependent, Becoming Hyper-Conscious, and Becoming Attuned, addressing critical topics such as ecological sustainability, resource management, construction methodologies, governance models, digital integration, and cultural production. These themes will be explored through various formats including plenary sessions, lectures, debates, roundtables, and interactive workshops, alongside focused one-on-one conversations that delve into specific methodologies in contemporary architectural practice. A unique 'Research by Design' program will showcase twelve experimental projects tackling issues like housing accessibility, climate adaptation, and material reuse. Notable contributors include HouseEurope! with Brandlhuber+, focusing on the transformation of existing building stock, and Anna Puigjaner with MAIO, Care., and Pol Esteve, who will examine domestic spaces from a feminist perspective. Additionally, Baukunst, in collaboration with the Structural Xploration Lab, will present research on urban mining and material reappropriation, underscoring the Congress's commitment to research-driven exploration.
To foster dynamic dialogue and challenge conventional ideas, 'Critical Antagonists' such as Timothy Morton, Marina Tabassum, and Juan Herreros will engage in plenary sessions, offering alternative viewpoints. Approximately 100 Spanish architects will serve as moderators and hosts, bridging international contributions with local contexts. The program also features in-depth conversations, including discussions between landscape architects Kate Orff and Dirk Sijmons on water systems and ecological infrastructures, and sessions with groups like Forensic Architecture and the Centre for Spatial Technologies on architectural tools for analyzing geopolitical conflicts. An innovative Open Forum, a temporary structure accommodating 1,500 people at the Three Chimneys site, will provide a casual setting for afternoon discussions. The itinerary structure, curated by AMOO, will guide participants through over 70 routes across Barcelona, linking theoretical themes with actual projects, landscapes, and infrastructure, with many sites specially opened for the event. Before the main Congress, international workshops from June 19 to 27 will bring together 180 students and young architects at the Three Chimneys site, led by distinguished practices such as Assemble, BeAr, TEN, and Plan Común. The diverse speaker lineup includes Pritzker Prize laureates Anne Lacaton, Jean-Philippe Vassal, Shigeru Ban, Wang Shu, and Smiljan Radić, as well as European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture – Mies van der Rohe Award winners like Architecten Jan de Vylder Inge Vinck, and practices such as Lacol and Arquitectura G. The Congress will also feature opening and closing events by Cabosanroque and Cube Studio, blending architecture with sound and performance. The UIA Gold Medal and Triennial Prizes ceremony will be held at the iconic Sagrada Família, complemented by collateral events including meetings of the International Committee of Architectural Critics (CICA) and the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, expanding the Congress's impact on related fields. As Barcelona, designated the World Capital of Architecture 2026 by UNESCO, prepares for this highly anticipated event, it continues to advance its architectural landscape, notably with the recent completion of the Sagrada Família's central tower and the shortlisting of five teams for the new Liceu Mar cultural venue at Port Vell.
This Congress stands as a testament to the power of architecture to shape our world, offering a platform for global collaboration and innovative solutions. By bringing together diverse voices and perspectives, it inspires new approaches to design and urban development, fostering a future where built environments harmoniously integrate with their natural surroundings and societal needs. The event highlights Barcelona's commitment to architectural excellence and its role as a leading city in addressing contemporary global challenges through design and urban planning.