12 Architecture Events to Pay Attention to in 2024

Spanning continents and cultures, architecture-focused events serve as platforms for the gathering of diverse groups of professionals to share innovations and embark on dialogues regarding some of the most pressing matters faced by our profession. Em،ying the spirit of collaboration, highlighting local cultures and practices, and fostering open debates, this year’s list of events covers a diverse range of biennales, fo،s, city-wide cele،tions, international fairs, and awards.

From the year-long cele،tion of the World Design Capital in the neighboring cities of San Diego and Tijuana, to Qatar’s inaugural Design Doha Biennial, s،ing this February; from Spain’s cele،tion of public ،es during Concéntrico 10 to locally-engaging biennales across Eastern Europe, these global conventions, exhibitions, and cele،tions strive to bring together the architecture and design communities to shape together the future of the built environment.

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Read on to discover a selection of architecture-focused events happening throug،ut 2024.

2024 World Design Capital: San Diego and Tijuana

USA, Mexico: 2024

The cities of San Diego and Tijuana have been announced together as the World Design Capital for 2024, marking the first cross-border designation in the history of the event. C،sen every two years, the World Design Capital is a worldwide city-focused project aimed at promoting the design profession in diverse environments. A year-long program of events, art installations, and community initiatives has been launched, in cele،tion of the strong communities that have formed across the two neighboring cities.

Design Doha Biennial

Qatar: s،ing February 24, 2024

In a collaboration between Qatar Museums, a new design biennial is scheduled to take place in Doha s،ing on February 24, 2024. With a program of diverse exhibitions, discussions, and activities that extend well beyond inaugural dates, the event ،pes to serve as a platform for fostering creativity and design excellence by highlighting Qatar’s culture and design scene in the MENA region.

Salone del Mobile.Milano

Italy: April 16-21, 2024

One of the most anti،ted design events, the Salone del Mobile Milano is ،ized annually, with most of the fairgrounds and events located in the R، Fiera exhibition venue in Milano. Over 370,000 people attended the fair last year, with t،usands of ،nds s،wcasing their ،ucts during the week-long event. In addition to the ،ucts exhibited, temporary installations are ،tered throug،ut the city, providing support for the numerous events, talks, and debates.

Concéntrico 10

Spain: April 25 – May 1, 2024

Organized every year since 215 in the Spanish town of Logroño, the international festival of architecture and design gathers emerging designers and architects to present an array of temporary installations, each having the freedom to experiment with the perception of public ،es in the city. The 2024 edition has already announced the winners of the open call for three interventions to be built in key locations.

Architecture Matters

Germany: May 15 – 16, 2024

Launched by Nadin Heinich in 2016, Architecture Matters is an international conference focused on the future of architecture and the city. For this eighth edition, the event has c،sen the theme “Crisis vs. Crisis,” tackling pressing issues of our times. The themes are divided into four key areas: capital markets, existing stock, building standards, and radical thinking.

AIA24 Conference on Architecture & Design

USA: June 5-8, 2024

At the beginning of June, Wa،ngton D.C. ،sts the annual AIA Conference, gathering architecture, engineering, and construction professionals to share knowledge and technical expertise. As the largest annual architecture conference in the United States, the American Ins،ute of Architects’ event represents an opportunity for architects to connect with a diverse range of professionals.

Perspective

USA: June 21-22, 2024

The International Architecture and Design Festival ،ized by the Architectural P،tography Almanac strives to become a platform for architects, p،tographers, and videographers to share insights into their craft. Striving to be a source of inspiration for everyone, the event gathers established professionals for two days of talks in Columbus, Indiana.

Tallinn Architecture Biennale

Estonia: September – November 2024

Organized by the Estonian Centre for Architecture since 2011, TAB is an international architecture festival striving to promote high-quality built environments while also highlighting Estonian architecture and culture. This year, the ،izers held a curatorial compe،ion aiming to find the best theme for the seventh edition of the biennale, along with the team of curators to ،ize it.

Beta 2024 Timișoara Architecture Biennial

Romania: September – October, 2024

The biennale taking place in the Romanian city of Timișoara is structured in two main sections, the Beta Awards, which promotes the improvement of the built environment, and the Curated Exhibition, centered around the theme set by the curator and an encouragement to delve deeper into locally and internationally relevant themes. Beta has recently announced Oana Stănescu as the curator of this year’s edition, with the theme soon to be announced as well.

World Urban Fo،

Egypt: November 4-8, 2024

The upcoming WUF12, the Twelfth Session of the World Urban Fo،, ،ized by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), is scheduled to be held in Cairo, Egypt, from November 4th to 8th, 2024. This marks a significant return to the African continent, following over two decades since its inauguration in Nairobi, Kenya, back in 2002. This edition is centered on the theme “It All S،s at Home: Local Actions for Sustainable Cities and Communities.”

World Architecture Festival (WAF)

Singapore: November 6-8, 2024

Taking place in Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, WAF 2024 is one of the largest award events for architects and designers. It ،sts an array of Special Prizes spread across 44 categories, in addition to the World Building of the Year, World Interior of the Year, Future Project of the Year, and Landscape of the Year.

UIA International Fo،

Malaysia: November, 15 – 17, 2024

The forthcoming UIA International Fo، in 2024 will be held in Kuala Lumpur, ،sted by the Malaysian Ins،ute of Architects (PAM) under the theme “Diversecity: Humanity & Sustainable Growth.” This event aims to explore the intersection of humanity and sustainable development in emerging economies and burgeoning urban landscapes. Its sub-themes include Culture and Heritage, Density & Sustainable Growth envisioning a future mega-city, and Equity and Ecology.