The Basílica de la Sagrada Família hosted the ceremony for the 2026 UIA Gold Medal and Triennial Prizes, one of the most significant moments of the UIA World Congress of Architects 2026 Barcelona. The evening brought together the international architectural community to celebrate outstanding contributions to architecture worldwide, in a year in which Barcelona is the World Capital of Architecture.
The event was attended by distinguished authorities, among them António José Seguro, President of Portugal; Ernest Urtasun, Minister of Culture; Salvador Illa, President of the Government of Catalonia; Jaume Collboni, Mayor of Barcelona; and the Congress leadership, including Regina Gonthier, President of the UIA; Marta Vall-llossera, President of the CSCAE and Congress President; and Sandra Bestraten, Dean of the COAC.
The UIA Triennial Prizes honoured architects and teams distinguished for their contributions in fields such as innovation, urban planning, technology, criticism, sustainability and social architecture. This year’s awardees are Paola Viganò, Fetdeterra, Jacques Gubler, Song Yehao, Caravatti Caravatti Architetti and Cierto Estudio.
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the UIA Gold Medal, the organisation’s highest distinction, awarded this year to Portuguese architect Eduardo Souto de Moura in recognition of his outstanding career and influence on contemporary architecture.
Discover the full profiles and selected works of all laureates
On the second day of the UIA World Congress of Architects 2026 Barcelona, the Basílica de la Sagrada Família hosted the ceremony for the 2026 UIA Gold Medal and Triennial Prizes. The evening brought together the international architectural community to celebrate outstanding contributions to architecture worldwide, including the awarding of the UIA Gold Medal to architect Eduardo Souto de Moura.