The proposal Becoming, Architectures for a planet in transition has been chosen to curate the UIA World Congress of Architects, which Barcelona will host in 2026. The winning project was developed by a team of architects: Pau Bajet, Mariona Benedito, Maria Giramé, Tomeu Ramis, Pau Sarquella, Carmen Torres, and José Zabala.
The competition process to select the curatorial team for the upcoming edition aimed to ensure that the Congress not only generates maximum relevance and interest for the global architectural community but also produces knowledge and practices with a real impact on people’s daily lives and the future of the planet.
The jury selected ‘Becoming, Architectures for a planet in transition’ for its diverse range of proposed actions and activities, as well as its central theme of time as a vector of transformation. The jury highlighted, “The thematic development, with six sub-themes evolving from the main concept, is evocative and addresses major contemporary challenges, always with time as a driver of change.” Additionally, the project’s approach to action-based knowledge and practical engagement, supported by a strong and extensive network of collaborators, was a key factor in its selection.
The jury comprised internationally renowned architects, including Ángela García de Paredes, Bet Capdeferro, Carme Pigem, José María Sánchez, Josep Bohigas, Josep Ferrando, Josep Lluís Mateo, María Hurtado de Mendoza, Philip Ursprung, and Zaida Muxí. Representatives from organizing institutions also participated, including Iñaqui Carnicero (Secretary General of Urban Agenda, Housing, and Architecture, MIVAU), Agustí Serra (Director General of Territorial Planning, Urbanism, and Architecture, Generalitat de Catalunya), Mónica Rivera (on behalf of Maria Buhigas, Chief Architect of Barcelona City Council), Marta Vall-llossera (President of CSCAE), and Guillem Costa Calsamiglia (Dean of COAC). The organizing administrations not only offer institutional support but also co-finance the UIA World Congress, which has been declared an event of exceptional public interest in Spain’s 2023 General Budget Law.
The selection of the curatorial team was conducted through an unprecedented international competition for the UIA, spearheaded by the CSCAE, COAC, MIVAU, the Department of Territory of the Generalitat de Catalunya, and the Barcelona City Council. Beyond shaping the Congress conceptually, the competition aimed to rethink and modernize architecture congress formats and themes.