Barcelona Set to Become a Catalyst for a Global Research Laboratory at the UIA World Architecture Congress 2026

As the host city of the International Union of Architects (UIA) World Congress of Architecture, Barcelona is poised to transform into a worldwide research laboratory. The Congress, slated to take place in 2026 from June 28 to July 2, aims to engage the global architecture community and promote knowledge and practices that have a real impact on people's daily lives and the planet's future.

A Vision for Transformation

The UIA Barcelona 2026 World Congress of Architecture plans to explore six distinct lines of research, delving into the transformative power of architecture over time. Simultaneously, research will be conducted in various national and international settings to enrich the proposals and debates. The central events will include an international competition, a workshop for architecture students, conferences, debates, and exhibitions. These activities will precede the three main days of the Congress, creating a platform for productive discussions.

'Becoming Architectures for a Planet in Transition'

The winning proposal for the Congress curatorship is titled 'Becoming. Architectures for a planet in transition,' sets the tone for the event. Curated by Pau Bajet, Mariona Benedito, Maria Giramé, Tomeu Ramis, Pau Sarquella, Carmen Torres, and José Zabala, the proposal focuses on architectural projects with time as the thematic axis, emphasizing the concept of 'becoming' as a vector of change and transition.

Six Lines of Research:

• Becoming Beyond-Human: Exploring ways to stimulate greater awareness and action for human and non-human planetary coexistence.

• Becoming Attuned: Incorporating meaning, ethics, and aesthetics into daily professional practice.

• Becoming Embodied: Integrating values and desires in the transition from matter to constructive beauty.

• Becoming Interdependent: Including conflict, empathy, solidarity, and caring as key factors to enhance interpersonal and civic relations.

• Becoming Hyper-Conscious: Implementing tools and actions to become hyper-aware of our territory, catalyzing changes in our ways of living.

• Becoming Circular: Exploring the form of territorial production and reproduction considering post-extractivist and proximity policies of circularity.

Barcelona as the Geopolitical Framework

The curatorial team emphasizes the choice of the coastal area of the Barcelona metropolis as the Congress venue, highlighting its participation in the geopolitical framework represented by the Mediterranean Sea. Barcelona, portrayed as a Mediterranean city in constant transformation, is positioned to address contemporary global challenges such as vulnerability to climate change, mass tourism, and migratory fluctuations.

Isabel Rodríguez, Minister of Housing and Urban Agenda, expresses her enthusiasm: "I believe that celebrating this World Architecture Congress and understanding how architecture can transform reality through time, seen as a vector of change, seems to me a very accurate approach."

Shaping the Legacy

Marta Vall-llossera, President of the CSCAE, underscores the significance of the curatorial team's work in defining the Congress's legacy. The team aims to propose a necessary reflection on the formats and themes of Architecture Congresses, identifying and addressing the challenges of architecture at each moment. This includes making the capacity of architecture to improve the quality of life visible and opening the meeting to citizens.

Guillem Costa Calsamiglia, Dean of the COAC, highlights the Congress's importance as a space to enhance the fundamental role of architecture in transforming the environment amidst current challenges and improving people's quality of life.

Barcelona's role as the host city for the UIA World Architecture Congress 2026 signifies more than just a gathering of architects. It symbolizes a commitment to exploring the potential of architecture in addressing the pressing challenges of our time. The 'Becoming' theme reflects the evolving nature of the built environment and the transformative power architects hold in shaping a better future for humanity. As the architectural community converges in Barcelona, the city is poised to become a beacon of inspiration for innovative solutions and a testament to the enduring impact of thoughtful design on our world.