International Architecture Agenda: Highlights for the Rest of 2023

September 26, 2023

Architecture and urbanism constantly evolve, with innovative ideas and creative solutions shaping our cities and landscapes. As we move into the latter half of 2023, the global architecture agenda is teeming with exciting events that promise to redefine architectural design and urban planning boundaries. From South Korea to the United Arab Emirates, these upcoming months are brimming with opportunities for architects, designers, and enthusiasts to engage with groundbreaking ideas and projects. In this article, we'll explore some key international events on the architecture calendar for the rest of the year.



1. Seoul Biennial of Architecture and Urbanism (SBAU 2023)


Dates: September 01 - October 29 Location: Seoul, South Korea


The 4th Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism is a highly anticipated event that seeks to formulate a roadmap for a romantic and eco-friendly city. With a focus on competition and innovation, this biennial aims to establish a solid foundation for Seoul's urban plan for the next century. Architects and urban planners worldwide are invited to participate in this visionary event.


 

2. TAC! Festival de Arquitectura Urbana 2023



Dates: September 14 - October 16. Location: Valencia, Spain


Valencia plays host to the second edition of the TAC! Festival de Arquitectura Urbana in 2023. This festival encourages reflection on the role of architecture in addressing climate challenges, especially in the era of global warming. TAC! Brings together creativity and public spaces, providing a platform for architects to tackle pressing environmental issues.




3. Singapore Design Week (SDW 2023)


Dates: September 21 - October 01 Location: Singapore City, Singapore


As one of Asia's premier design festivals, Singapore Design Week explores design through three pillars: Design Futures, Design Marketplace, and Design Impact. Design Futures focuses on forward-looking innovation, offering a glimpse into Singapore's vision for a better world through design.




4. Design Week Mexico


Dates: September 22 - 25. Location: Mexico City, Mexico


Design Week Mexico returns to the vibrant capital city for its 15th edition. This festival celebrates the diverse design world, featuring exhibitions, tours, and workshops. While specific dates for 2023 are yet to be announced, this event promises to be a highlight for design enthusiasts in Mexico.



5. Bienal de Arquitectura Latinoamericana (BAL 2023)


Dates: September 26 - 29. Location: Pamplona, Spain


The Bienal de Arquitectura Latinoamericana 2023 takes place in Pamplona, with Ecuador as the guest country. The event features presentations by selected teams, master lectures, and roundtable discussions. It provides a unique opportunity to engage with Latin American architectural perspectives.



6. 2023 Summer School - Emergency Deployable Shelter


Date: September 28 Location: Miami, South Florida


This Summer Design Project Competition in Miami aims to propose models for communities to provide emergency deployable shelters (EDS) to needy residents. It bridges the gap between traumatic circumstances and transformative solutions in urban planning and disaster relief.



7. Generation Proxima - Emerging Environmental Practices in Portuguese Architecture


Starting from: October 02


This exhibition offers an environmentally oriented overview of emerging architectural practices in Portugal. It highlights firms that address environmental challenges while emphasising community engagement and sustainability.



9. Dubai Design Week


Dates: November 08 - 11 Location: Dubai, UAE


Dubai Design Week is a dynamic event that celebrates design and innovation. It brings together architects, designers, and creative minds from around the world to showcase their work and engage in discussions about the future of design.



The international architecture agenda for the remainder of 2023 is packed with exciting events and exhibitions that will shape the future of architecture and urbanism. From addressing climate challenges to exploring innovative design concepts, these gatherings provide a platform for architects and designers to collaborate, learn, and inspire. Whether you're an architect, urban planner, or simply passionate about design, these events offer a unique opportunity to engage with the latest architectural trends and ideas. Be sure to mark your calendars and stay tuned for these upcoming architectural highlights!

The Language of Modern Mediterranean Architecture

By OTIIMA MMTW • April 24, 2025
There is a particular kind of silence in Mediterranean architecture. A silence made of sun-bleached walls, filtered light passing through wooden slats, and open courtyards that breathe with the wind. Today, this timeless language is being rewritten—minimal, restrained, and yet deeply rooted in the rituals of the land. A Tradition Reinvented Modern Mediterranean architecture doesn’t mimic the past. It refines it. The terracotta is still warm, the limestone still rough, but now the lines are sharper, the spaces more fluid. Architects are reclaiming the vernacular, not as nostalgia, but as a source of resilience, comfort, and sensory clarity. Its architecture is made to age with grace. Made for slowness, for texture, for shadow.

A Conversation with Laney LA on the SC Residence

By OTIIMA MMTW • April 17, 2025
At the heart of every Laney LA project lies the pursuit of something greater, timeless yet undeniably fresh. In SC Residence, the Los Angeles-based studio partnered with OTIIMA to push boundaries in aesthetics and performance. We sat down with the architects behind the project to discuss their approach, the power of collaboration, and how innovation can shape the cities of tomorrow. A Practice Rooted in Time and Experimentation For Laney LA, design is not simply a choice between old and new; it’s about finding the balance between the two. “Our studio is constantly searching for a design that embodies timelessness and innovation. Timelessness includes staying power and that rare ability to remain relevant over time. Innovation feeds our curiosity as we are oriented toward noticing new ideas.” This mindset requires continually questioning conventional design norms. Which rules are worth preserving, and which are meant to be broken? For Laney LA, the tension between the two is where meaningful architecture begins.

How to Find and Develop Architectural Ideas and Inspiration

By OTIIMA MMTW • April 10, 2025
In architecture, inspiration is everything. It drives concepts, shapes materiality, and defines the experience of space. But finding fresh ideas, especially in a fast-paced, globalized industry, requires more than scrolling through image feeds or revisiting old references. It demands a mindset of curiosity, observation, and intention. Here are six practical ways to uncover and turn meaningful architectural inspiration into project-defining ideas. 1. Diversify Your Sources of Inspiration Expand your creative horizons by exploring areas beyond architecture, such as art, literature, music, and nature. This holistic approach can introduce innovative concepts that can be adapted into your architectural work. Tip : Shift your perspective by exploring different forms of creativity to break through creative blocks.

Architecture and Design Events Not to be Missed in April 2025

By OTIIMA MMTW • April 3, 2025
The world of architecture and design is filled with inspiring events throughout the year, but April stands out as a particularly dynamic month. With a lineup of prestigious exhibitions, fairs, and industry gatherings, it offers a unique opportunity to engage with groundbreaking ideas and emerging trends. In this article, we explore the top architecture and design events taking place this April, from the artistic influence of Art Paris to the innovation showcased at Expo 2025 Osaka. Art Paris 2025 Grand Palais Éphémère, Paris | April 3–6, 2025  A celebration of contemporary art, Art Paris returns with a focus on architectural influences in modern creative expression. Featuring an impressive selection of galleries, this edition highlights the dialogue between art and space, offering a unique perspective for architects seeking inspiration beyond traditional frameworks.

Five Lessons from Mies van der Rohe for Architects Today

By OTIIMA MMTW • March 27, 2025
March 27 marks the anniversary of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, one of the most influential architects of the 20th century. His philosophy, built on clarity, simplicity, and material honesty, continues to inspire contemporary architecture. His work embodies a timeless vision that remains as relevant as ever. Here are five key lessons architects today can learn from Mies van der Rohe. Less is More Perhaps his most famous principle, “Less is more,” summarizes Mies’ approach to design: stripping away the unnecessary to reveal the essential. His buildings are characterized by clean lines, open floor plans, and an absence of ornamentation. This philosophy encourages architects to prioritize spatial clarity and material integrity, resulting in structures that are modern and enduring.

The Essence of Scandinavian Architecture and Design

By OTIIMA MMTW • March 20, 2025
Scandinavian architecture and design represent a deep connection between nature, functionality, and the human experience. Grounded in a landscape of vast fjords, endless forests, and soft northern light, it reflects a unique philosophy and way of life. The Origins  The origins of Scandinavian architecture date back to the Viking era, when timber structures and intricate carvings reflected a profound connection to materiality and craftsmanship. As centuries unfolded, this reverence for natural materials persisted, evolving with the changing needs of modern society. The early 20th century witnessed the emergence of Nordic Classicism, a restrained yet elegant style that soon gave way to a more functional and human-centric approach: Scandinavian Modernism.

Belgian Architecture: A Mosaic of Heritage and Modernism

By OTIIMA MMTW • March 13, 2025
Belgium’s topography is a delicate balance between history and modernity. From Bruges's medieval charm to Antwerp and Brussels's bold contemporary structures, architecture here is a study in balance. Minimalism finds a profound expression where clean lines, raw materials, and seamless transitions define space. At OTIIMA, we are privileged to contribute to this evolving narrative, shaping spaces where glass dissolves into air, thresholds blur, and architecture becomes an experience. In Belgium, three projects reference our philosophy: Villa Izegem, Villa P, and Villa V à Harelbeke. Villa Izegem | Govaert & Vanhoutte Architects Villa Izegem is an ode to minimalism in its purest form. Govaert & Vanhoutte Architects sculpted a space where vast glass expanses erase the boundary between nature and dwelling. The land breathes through the structure, light carving its way across surfaces, shifting with time. OTIIMA’s ultra-slim profiles amplify this sense of weightlessness, ensuring that nothing interrupts the dialogue between inside and out. The villa is not simply inhabited; it’s a quiet retreat where transparency is the ultimate luxury.

5 Iconic Projects Designed by Women in Architecture

By OTIIMA MMTW • March 8, 2025
Visionary minds have long shaped the architecture industry, yet women architects have fought for recognition in a male-dominated field for decades. Today, their contributions are undeniable, with groundbreaking projects that push the boundaries of design, functionality, and sustainability. This article highlights a few remarkable projects led by women architects that demonstrate their profound impact on modern architecture. 1. Heydar Aliyev Center – Zaha Hadid  Zaha Hadid’s Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku, Azerbaijan, is a remarkable example of architectural fluidity and innovation. The building features a sinuous, wave-like form that challenges traditional architectural norms, creating an uninterrupted spatial experience. Renowned for her bold and futuristic designs, Hadid proved that architecture can be functional and sculptural. The center is a cultural hub that embodies modernity and movement in its design.

Liu Jiakun Awarded 2025 Pritzker Architecture Prize

By OTIIMA MMTW • March 6, 2025
Chinese architect Liu Jiakun has been honored with the 2025 Pritzker Architecture Prize, recognizing his contributions to contemporary architecture. This prestigious award, often called the "Nobel Prize of Architecture," celebrates Liu's work, which harmoniously blends traditional Chinese aesthetics with modern functionality.

The Architectural Influence in Cinema

By OTIIMA MMTW • February 27, 2025
As the 2025 Academy Awards approach, the spotlight is once again on the art of filmmaking, a fusion of storytelling, visual composition, and immersive world-building. Among the many crafts that shape a film’s identity, set design plays a pivotal role in defining cinematic spaces' realism and aesthetic coherence. The relationship between film and architecture is more than just a visual spectacle; it studies how space, light, and structure influence perception and emotion. 
More Posts