Barcelona to host the 2026 World Architecture Congress

Barcelona will become the global center of architecture in 2026 by hosting the World Architecture Congress, titled Becoming, architectures for a planet in transition. The event, organized by the International Union of Architects (UIA), will take place from June 28 to July 2 in the Catalan capital, attracting over 10,000 professionals. Key venues for the congress include Las Tres Xemeneies, Disseny Hub, Montjuïc Castle, and La Sagrada Família.

At the announcement event, attended by representatives from the Generalitat de Catalunya, the City Hall, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Agenda, and the Council of Architects of Spain, the focus was placed on the urgent need to rethink architectural practice due to climate crisis, accelerated urbanization, and social inequalities. Sílvia Paneque, Minister of Territory, Housing, and Ecological Transition, highlighted housing challenges faced by major cities, including Barcelona, noting that cities are crucial for ensuring dignified collective living. She emphasized the importance of infrastructure improvements, including expanding El Prat airport.

Laia Bonet, Deputy Mayor of Barcelona, stated that the congress is vital for transforming the city’s architectural approach. She agreed with Paneque that housing access is a significant challenge and emphasized the need for urgent and creative solutions. Bonet also announced the "Mineral Challenge," a project with the UIA and the Diputació de Barcelona aimed at reusing construction waste in the city.

Guillem Costa, Dean of the College of Architects of Catalonia (COAC) and congress director, mentioned that the event will place Barcelona at the center of the global architecture and urbanism debate. Notably, this will be the second time Barcelona hosts the event, after the 1996 congress.

The two main venues of the congress will be Las Tres Xemeneies in Sant Adrià de Besòs and the Disseny Hub Barcelona (DHub) in Glòries. Other events will take place at the Sagrada Família, Montjuïc Castle, and Moll de la Marina.

Six Themes and Nearly 200 Speakers

Organizers Pau Bajet, Mariona Benedito, Maria Giramé, Tomeu Ramis, Pau Sarquella, and Carmen Torres outlined that the congress will explore six interconnected themes centered on time as a design tool: Becoming More-than-human, Becoming Attuned, Becoming Embodied, Becoming Interdependent, Becoming Hyper-Conscious, and Becoming Circular. These themes will explore material, political, ecological, and poetic transitions.