UIA 2026 Barcelona: Architecture and Planetary Transition
Architecture world gathers in Barcelona to debate the future of our planet.
1A historic congress
Barcelona became the first city to host the UIA World Congress of Architects twice. While the 1996 edition shaped the city's post-Olympic transformation, the 2026 event under the theme 'Becoming: Architectures for a Planet in Transition' initiated a radically different dialogue.
2Curatorial vision
The curatorial team led by Pau Bajet structured the congress around six thematic axes: Becoming More-than-human, Circular, Embodied, Interdependent, Hyper-Conscious, and Attuned. This framework highlights the planetary implications of architectural decisions.
3Impact of design choices
A key takeaway was how seemingly small architectural choices (materials, energy use etc.) actually have global consequences. This perspective significantly expands architects' sphere of responsibility.
4Three decades of evolution
The 30-year gap between the two congresses reveals architecture's transformation. While the 1996 focus was urban scale, 2026 shifted attention to planetary crises and multi-species coexistence.
5Operational details
Events like the Open Forum at Three Chimneys facilitated professional exchange. Architects discussed practical applications from material selection to water management in depth.
6Architecture's new mission
UIA 2026 emphasized architecture's need to transform in response to climate crisis and biodiversity loss. The congress marked a significant step in the discipline's self-redefinition process.
Original article: ArchDaily Global — Barcelona'da UIA 2026: Mimarlık ve Gezegenin Dönüşümü