World Architecture Congress to gather 200 global speakers in Barcelona

More than 200 speakers from around the world will take part in the World Architecture Congress organised by the International Union of Architects, set to be held in Barcelona from June 28 to July 2.

Across three days, the congress will feature over 100 sessions on eight stages, focusing on sustainable architecture and its future impact. 

The event forms part of Barcelona's program as World Capital of Architecture 2026 and marks the city's return as host three decades after it last staged the congress in 1996.

Barcelona will become the first city to host the event twice.

The program includes plenary lectures, conferences, debates, panel discussions, student workshops, and an exhibition, bringing together leading voices in contemporary architecture.

Organizers structured the congress around six themes: Becoming More-than-human, Becoming Circular, Becoming Embodied, Becoming Interdependent, Becoming Hyper-conscious, and Becoming Attuned.

Each theme will be explored over half a day, with discussions designed to connect disciplines, scales, and regions.

Speaking at the program's presentation, Barcelona mayor Jaume Collboni highlighted the importance of professional insight, particularly in addressing housing challenges. 

He stressed the need to expand access to housing, including for middle-class residents, and said city leaders expect "answers, reflections, but also proposals for solutions" from the congress.

Meanwhile, Marta Vall-llossera, president of the Supreme Council of the Colleges of Architects of Spain, described the gathering as having "great transformative power," while Guillem Costa, dean of the College of Architects of Catalonia, said the goal is for the congress to mark a turning point and become a "new benchmark."

Confirmed participants include architects Jan de Vylder, Inge Vinck, Alexander Brodsky, Andrés Jaque, Anne Holtrop, Bas Smets, Marina Tabassum, Tatiana Bilbao, Timothy Morton, Xu Tiantian, and Yasmeen Lari.