In our quest for a more sustainable future, architecture plays a central role. Whatever we do, however we imagine the years to come, one thing’s for sure: men will always be in need of a place to live. It has been the case for thousands of years and it’s not something that will change. However, something we can do is reimagine the way in which we live. From isolation materials over power sources to the place of greenery in our lives: it all impacts our ecological footprint. And the only way to make progress is by rethinking the way in which we build, giving architects a key role in sustainability.
Despite what you may be thinking, we’re not making all of this up. It’s a well-known fact which gets quite a bit of worldwide attention. Therefore, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the next World Capital of Architecture focuses on that role as a key player in sustainability. With a theme as ‘One day, One tomorrow’, there’s no way around it: the architecture of the future will be all about keeping our ecological impact to a minimum. And that theme is exactly why the Spanish city Barcelona was chosen as 2026’s World Capital of Architecture by the UIA – the International Union of Architects, a non-governmental organization supported by UNESCO.
City of Gaudí
Barcelona and architecture have been friends for a long time. Antoni Gaudí may be one of history’s most famous architects and he designed quite a bit of architectural gems in the city, from the Sagrada Familia to the Guëll Park. Even though until today the Sagrada Familia has never been finished, the end of the works is scheduled for 2026 – hundred years after the death of Gaudí and, conveniently, the year during which Barcelona will obtain the title of World Capital of Architecture.
Yet of course, there’s more to Barcelona’s architectural scene than just Gaudí’s legacy. ‘One day, One tomorrow’ concentrates on the city’s approach to sustainability and the future of the built environment. Factors including quality of life, well-being and a sense of social and cultural belonging will play an important role during the congress. Besides that, it’s also a way of breathing new life into Barcelona’s architectural scene, a way of showing that the Spanish city’s still more than relevant and even plays an important role in today’s architecture. So if you’re a architecture geek and if you’d like to attend part of the congress, you better start booking!
