In 2024, the architecture world is set to celebrate an eclectic and inspiring series of events that underscore the profession’s global reach and its impact on shaping our built environments. Emblematic of this vibrant calendar is the groundbreaking designation of San Diego and Tijuana as the World Design Capital, a first for a cross-border collaboration that speaks volumes about the power of design to unite communities. The inauguration of the Design Doha Biennial marks another highlight, showcasing Qatar’s rich cultural tapestry and its burgeoning design scene on the international stage. Iconic events like Salone del Mobile.Milanocontinue to anchor the calendar, drawing hundreds of thousands to Milan for a spectacle of innovation and creativity. From the thoughtful dialogues expected at Germany’s Architecture Matters conference to the collaborative spirit of the AIA Conference on Architecture & Design in Washington D.C., 2024 promises a dynamic forum for architects to engage, learn, and envision the future of architecture.

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Upcoming Architecture Events in 2024

2024 World Design Capital: San Diego and Tijuana

The 2024 World Design Capital event, uniting the cities of San Diego, USA, and Tijuana, Mexico, stands as a historic celebration of design’s power to transcend borders and foster community. This marks the first time in history that the World Design Capital designation has been awarded to two cities across national boundaries, underscoring the event’s theme of collaboration and cross-cultural exchange of inspiration. The World Design Capital is chosen every two years by the World Design Organization (WDO) and is aimed at recognizing cities that effectively use design to support and enhance economic, social, cultural, and environmental development.

• • Countries: USA, Mexico
  • Event: Design Festival in Tijuana Downtown
  • Significance: Marking the first cross-border designation in the history of the event.
  • Activities: A year-long program of events, art installations, and community initiatives.
  • Aim: Promoting the design profession and celebrating strong communities across the two cities.

Tickets Bookings: Click Here 

Salone del Mobile.Milano

Salone del Mobile.Milano, scheduled for April 16-21, 2024, is one of the most prestigious exhibitions, and eagerly anticipated events in the world of design and furniture. Hosted annually in Milan, Italy, this event transforms the Rho Fiera exhibition venue into a global hub for furniture innovation, style, and design excellence. Drawing over 370,000 attendees from across the globe in its previous editions, Salone del Mobile showcases thousands of brands, from industry giants to emerging designers, presenting the latest in furniture, lighting, and other home furnishings.

• • Location: Italy
  • Dates: April 16-21, 2024
  • Venue: Rho Fiera exhibition venue, Milano
  • Attendance: Over 370,000 people last year
  • Highlights: Thousands of brands showcasing products, temporary installations throughout the city, events, talks, and debates.

Tickets Bookings: Click Here 

Concéntrico 10

Concéntrico 10, set to unfold in Logroño, Spain, from April 25 to May 1, 2024, marks the 10th edition of this increasingly influential international festival of architecture and design. Since its inception in 2015, Concéntrico has carved out a unique space within the architectural community, focusing on the exploration, construction and reimagining of public spaces through temporary architectural installations and workshops. The festival serves as a platform for emerging designers and architects to experiment with new spatial concepts, engaging directly with the city’s urban fabric.

1. • Location: Spain
   • Dates: April 25 – May 1, 2024
   • Venue: Logroño
   • Since: Organized every year since 2015
   • Concept: Temporary installations by emerging designers and architects, focusing on the perception of public spaces in the city.

Architecture Matters

Architecture Matters is an international conference focused on the future of architecture, urban planning, technology and the city. Scheduled for May 15-16, 2024, in Germany, this annual event that stands out for its forward-thinking approach and engagement with current events and pressing issues in the architectural world. Founded by Nadin Heinich in 2016, Architecture Matters has quickly established itself as a pivotal forum for architects, planners, real estate developers, and policymakers to discuss, debate, and envision the future of built environments.

• • Location: Germany
  • Dates: May 15 – 16, 2024
  • Founder: Nadin Heinich
  • Theme: “Crisis vs. Crisis”
  • Focus: Future of architecture and the city, covering capital markets, existing stock, building standards, and radical thinking.

Tickets Bookings: Click Here

AIA Conference on Architecture & Design

The AIA Conference on Architecture & Design is set to take place from June 5-8, 2024, in Washington D.C., USA. Organized by the American Institute of Architects, this event is renowned as the largest annual gathering of architecture, engineering, and construction professionals in the United States. The conference is a cornerstone event for the community, offering attendees an unparalleled opportunity for professionals to share knowledge, exchange ideas, and discover the latest trends and innovations in the field.

• • Location: USA
  • Dates: June 5-8, 2024
  • Venue: Washington D.C.
  • Organizer: American Institute of Architects
  • Description: Largest annual architecture conference in the United States, for sharing knowledge and technical expertise among professionals.

Tickets Bookings: Click Here 

Perspective

Perspective is a unique event in the architecture and design calendar, set to take place on June 21-22, 2024, in Columbus, Indiana, USA. Organized by the Architectural Photography Almanac, Perspective is an International Architecture and Design Festival that seeks to bring together architects, photographers, videographers, and enthusiasts from around the country and globe. The festival’s mission is to offer a platform for sharing insights, experiences, and more inspired by the artistry behind architectural photography and videography, celebrating the intersection of architecture and visual storytelling.

• • Location: USA
  • Dates: June 21-22, 2024
  • Venue: Columbus, Indiana
  • Organizer: Architectural Photography Almanac
  • Purpose: Platform for architects, photographers, and videographers to share insights.

Tallinn Architecture Biennale

The Tallinn Architecture Biennale (TAB) is set to return from September to November 2024, reinforcing its status as a country and premier international architecture exhibition and festival dedicated to showcasing and promoting innovative architectural practices, engaging cultural exchanges, and exploring the present and future of urban spaces. Organized by the Estonian Centre for Architecture, TAB has been a pivotal platform since its inception in 2011, focusing on the exploration of theoretical and practical aspects of architecture, with a particular emphasis on the digital and technological advancements shaping the built environment.

• • Location: Estonia
  • Period: September – November 2024
  • Organizer: Estonian Centre for Architecture
  • Objective: To promote high-quality built environments and highlight Estonian architecture and culture.

Tickets Bookings: info@tab.ee

Beta 2024 Timișoara Architecture Biennial

The Beta 2024 Timișoara Architecture Biennial, scheduled to take place in September and October 2024 in Timișoara, Romania, stands as a beacon for architectural innovation, art and discourse in Eastern Europe. Structured around two main sections—the Beta Awards and the Curated Exhibition—this biennale not only aims to spotlight excellence in the art and built environment but also fosters a deeper engagement with themes that are both locally and globally pertinent.

• • Location: Romania
  • Period: September – October, 2024
  • Focus: Improvement of the built environment and exploration of themes set by the curator.
  • Curator for 2024: Oana Stănescu

Tickets Bookings: Click Here 

World Urban Forum

The World Urban Forum (WUF), set to take place from November 4-8, 2024, in Cairo, Egypt, is a flagship event organized by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat). This premier international conference focuses on urban issues, aiming to advance the dialogue on sustainable urban development around the globe

• • Location: Egypt
  • Dates: November 4-8, 2024
  • Organizer: United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat)
  • Theme: “It All Starts at Home: Local Actions for Sustainable Cities and Communities.”
  • Significance: Return to the African continent after more than two decades.

Tickets Bookings: Click Here 

World Architecture Festival (WAF)

The World Urban Forum (WUF), slated for November 4-8, 2024 edition, in Cairo, Egypt, represents a significant milestone in the global dialogue on sustainable urban development. Organized by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), the WUF is recognized as the foremost international gathering for exchanging views and experiences on urban and sustainability challenges. The 2024 edition marks a pivotal return to the African continent, more than two decades since the forum’s inception in Nairobi, Kenya, in 2002.

• • Location: Singapore
  • Dates: November 6-8, 2024
  • Venue: Marina Bay Sands
  • Awards: Special Prizes across 44 categories including World Building of the Year, World Interior of the Year, Future Project of the Year, and Landscape of the Year.

Tickets Bookings: Invite only

UIA International Forum

The UIA International Forum is gearing up for its 2024 edition, set to take place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from November 15 to 17. Hosted by the Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM), this event is themed “Diversecity: Humanity & Sustainable Growth,” focusing on the critical intersections of urban diversity, humanity, technology and sustainable development within the fast-evolving context of emerging economies and expanding urban landscapes.

• • Location: Malaysia
  • Dates: November, 15 – 17, 2024
  • Organizer: Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM)
  • Theme: “Diversecity: Humanity & Sustainable Growth”
  • Focus: Humanity and sustainable development in emerging economies and urban landscapes.

Tickets Bookings: Click Here

The architecture and design community is poised on the brink of an exhilarating global journey, showcasing a year brimming with innovative collaborations, cross-cultural dialogues, and pioneering showcases. From the historic cross-border celebration between San Diego and Tijuana as the World Design Capital to the inaugural Design Doha Biennial, these events promise to weave together the rich tapestries of local cultures with the expansive vision of international design. Milan’s Salone del Mobile continues to set the standard for design excellence, while forums like Architecture Matters in Germany provoke critical conversations on the future of urban living. Whether it’s engaging with the cutting-edge installations at Concéntrico 10 in Spain or exploring sustainable urban solutions at the World Urban Forum in Egypt, each event offers unique insights and opportunities to engage with the forefront of architectural innovation. As these events unfold, they not only forecast the evolving landscape of global architecture but also offer a vibrant platform for professionals and enthusiasts to converge, share, and shape the future of the built environment.