Architecture, light, and sound spectacle opens World Congress of Architects in Barcelona

Barcelona has opened its doors to the global architectural community, hosting the XXIX World Congress of Architects under the theme 'Becoming. Architectures for a planet in transition.' The five-day event, which extends its activities over a month, is set to draw 10,000 professionals from more than 130 countries, solidifying the Catalan capital's status as a center for architectural discourse and innovation.

The congress commenced with an official reception at the Saló de Cent of Barcelona City Hall, where Mayor Jaume Collboni welcomed delegates from the International Union of Architects (UIA) and representatives from Spanish architectural bodies. The opening ceremony featured speeches from UIA President Regina Gonthier, Congress President Marta Vall-llossera, and Dean of the College of Architects of Catalonia (COAC) Sandra Bestraten.

An elaborate "Cabo & Cube Show" at the Tres Xemeneies in Sant Adrià de Besòs captivated over 5,000 attendees. This spectacle, a collaboration between Cabosanroque and Estudio Cube, intertwined architecture, light, and sound, symbolizing the tension between the monumental and the meticulous through the use of cranes to open a cava bottle.

The congress agenda, primarily held at the International Convention Centre of Barcelona (CCIB), will feature over 250 international speakers and 40 plenary sessions. Key topics include the housing crisis, the climate emergency, material circularity, and the evolution of public spaces. This gathering aims to position Barcelona not only as a meeting point but also as a laboratory for collective experimentation in addressing planetary challenges through architecture.

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Becoming. Architectures for planet in transition