An open call is being held for participation in the upcoming UIA World Congress of Architects 2026 Barcelona (UIA2026BCN) (Deadline: 23 May) Professionals from architecture, landscape architecture, urbanism, design, engineering, research, photography, film and art are invited to submit proposals for projects, essays or multimedia pieces which could feature in the upcoming conference. Key aims of the open call include bringing together knowledge ‘across research, practice and education to generate new perspectives and strengthening connections between disciplines.’ Barcelona will host the 70th UIA congress from 28 June to 2 July next year and will also take the title of 2026 UNESCO-UIA World Capital of Architecture. Collage of digitally manipulated images by Judit Musachs and Pol Pérez selected by the UIA2026BCN curatorial team According to the brief: ‘The UIA2026BCN Scientific Committee and the Evaluation Committee, will evaluate the proposals from broad and cross-disciplinary perspectives. ‘After an initial pre-selection by subject matter experts, a jury composed of internationally renowned professionals – specialised in each category – as well as the congress curatorial team, will make the final selection. ‘Accepted proposals will be part of the central events of the UIA2026BCN congress between 28 June and 2 July 2026. The jury will determine the form of participation, which may include individual presentations, debates or other planned formats. ‘Additionally, it will decide whether the selected works will be exhibited physically or digitally at the congress exhibition and whether they will be published in the official catalogue.’ Located on the north-eastern coast of Spain, Barcelona is the capital and largest city of Catalonia with 1.6 million residents. Last month, the winners of an open international contest to remodel various venues on the city’s Montjuïc trade fair site were revealed. UIA World Congress of Architects 2026 Barcelona open call The open call comes almost a year after a competition – backed by Barcelona City Council and the Fundació Mies van der Rohe – was launched to remodel 10 permanent blind walls which are spread across the city’s 10 districts and could ‘leave a lasting legacy in Barcelona’. The UIA2026BCN congress is themed ‘Becoming. Architectures for a planet in transition’ and aims to explore transformative ideas that address contemporary challenges. As part of the lead up to the event a separate competition is seeking ideas to transform construction waste into new materials for public spaces across Barcelona, Spain. The winning submissions selected for inclusion in the UIA2026BCN congress programme will be announced on 30 September. How to apply Deadline: 23 May 2025 Competition funding source: Not supplied Project funding source: Not supplied Owner of site(s): Not supplied Contact details: callfor@uia2026bcn.orgVisit the competition website for more information