Architecture News

interihotel MAD26 is poised to redefine the future of hospitality design, acting as a crucial platform for professionals to exchange ideas and explore groundbreaking concepts. With a focus on creativity, sustainability, and technological integration, the event aims to inspire new solutions for distinctive and impactful guest experiences in hotels and restaurants. Attendees will delve into critical discussions, engage in hands-on workshops, and witness immersive installations that showcase the dynamic evolution of the industry.

interihotel MAD26: Pioneering the Future of Hospitality Design

From November 17 to 19, 2026, the vibrant city of Madrid will host interihotel MAD26 at IFEMA Madrid. This influential event, orchestrated by the AMBIT Living Spaces Cluster, is set to attract an impressive gathering of over 14,000 experts, including architects, interior designers, and hospitality leaders. The agenda boasts 350 exhibiting brands and more than 200 international speakers, all converging under the compelling banner of "Creative Rebellion." This theme champions a renewed vision for hotel and restaurant environments, integrating discussions, practical workshops, and five specialized forums with immersive, full-scale experimental installations.

The event's core revolves around three pivotal perspectives for re-envisioning hospitality. "The Inside Rebellion," scheduled for November 17, will delve into the essence of identity, emotional connection, and user experience. Renowned figures such as Stefan Sagmeister, Nini Andrade Silva, Bruzkus Greenberg, and Astet Studio will share their insights, complemented by sessions on lighting and hands-on workshops exploring color, floral artistry, and ceramics within architectural contexts.

Continuing the journey, "The Green Rebellion" on November 18 will address crucial topics of environmental sustainability, circular design principles, and overall well-being. Distinguished participants like Lyndon Neri and Rossana Hu of Neri&Hu, alongside Lucas Muñoz Muñoz, Studio Animal, Beaumier, and Rockwell Group, will explore material recovery strategies, adaptable spatial arrangements, and the profound link between lighting and health outcomes.

Concluding the series on November 19, "The Future Rebellion" will shine a spotlight on groundbreaking innovation, inventive solutions, and emerging business paradigms. Dani García, the keynote speaker for the day, will initiate a dialogue on transforming the guest journey. Other notable contributors will include Laura Vall from Axel Hotels, Luca Pronzato of We Are Ona, and Kike Sarasola representing Room Mate Hotels.

Beyond these thematic discussions, five specialized forums will address pressing challenges in design and space development. "Future Living" will investigate novel accommodation models, "Circular Spaces" will focus on repurposing existing structures and resources, and "WellSpaces" will explore neuroarchitecture and evidence-based design. The forums will also cover "Hospitality Building Systems," highlighting industrialised construction techniques, and "AI Interiors," examining the role of artificial intelligence in architectural and interior design. Esteemed figures like Bill Browning, Jana Crepon of Inside Outside, Jorge Alonso Rodríguez of Chapman Taylor, and Tim Fu will contribute to these forums, fostering a vibrant interchange of research, design, investment, and operational insights.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to engage with these concepts firsthand through the "Interiors Living Lab," where ideas are brought to life in experiential spaces. The "Sensory Explorer Concept Room," crafted by HBA and inspired by Barceló Hotel Group, will unveil "The Dome: Earth, Light and Memory," an innovative hotel room that artfully expresses Tunisia's identity through geometric forms, illumination, and tactile materials. The "Social Playful Concept Restaurant," envisioned by Livit and inspired by Lamucca, will present a flexible dining environment designed to accommodate various activities, from casual meals to collaborative work and prolonged social interactions.

Further enriching the experience, the "Materials Lab" will showcase two installations: "Materials by AMBIT Cluster," featuring a curated selection of advanced and eco-conscious materials from participating brands, and "Materialidad adaptable," an exhibition by MATTER that traces the evolution of six distinct material families. The "Craft Lab," curated by Tachy Mora, will celebrate contemporary ceramics through the works of eight artisans and brands, illustrating how traditional craftsmanship, cultural memory, and local context can imbue hotel and restaurant designs with a unique sense of place. Finally, the "Xperience Lab" will offer interactive opportunities to experiment with virtual and mixed reality design tools, collaborate with AI agents, visualize projects in augmented reality, and configure modular building components.

Concurrently with the main event, "interi-off" will extend its reach across Madrid from November 16 to 20, featuring additional site visits, art installations, talks, workshops, and networking events. interi-off will highlight design and industry's role in creating innovative hospitality spaces, fostering dialogue among designers, manufacturers, and operators. This extended program will offer unique opportunities to explore Madrid's vibrant design scene.

This event promises to be a transformative experience for anyone involved in hospitality design, encouraging a departure from conventional approaches and a bold embrace of the new. The focus on integrating advanced technologies, sustainable practices, and profound human-centric design sets a high standard for future developments in the sector.

The Ibero-American Biennial of Architecture and Urbanism (BIAU) is an important international gathering sponsored by the Spanish Ministry of Housing and Urban Agenda since 1998. This biennial event, hosted every two years in different locations across Latin America and the Iberian Peninsula, is dedicated to recognizing, honoring, and disseminating exceptional architectural and urban planning works that showcase the rich diversity of Ibero-American design. Following its thirteenth edition in Lima, Peru, which focused on "CLIMATES: Actions for Good Living" in 2024, the fourteenth BIAU will be held in Brasília from November 3 to 6, 2026. This upcoming event will explore the theme "Caring for Life" through four primary focuses: water, vegetation, housing, and communities, investigating how architecture interacts with crucial environmental, social, and cultural elements that support life.

Over the course of four days, the Biennial will offer a dynamic program encompassing discussions, presentations, exhibits, award ceremonies, site visits, and various cultural and musical performances across multiple venues in Brasília. The selection of Brasília as the host city is particularly meaningful, given the increasing challenges at the intersection of urban expansion, territorial transformation, and quality of life. Established in 1960 as a pioneering initiative to construct a new capital in Brazil's interior, Brasília represented a bold vision of the future, embodying modernity and social advancement. Looking back, the BIAU aims to provide a thoughtful and balanced examination of Brasília, acknowledging both its successes and its complexities. The curatorial vision highlights projects that offer solutions to current societal issues and bring positive change to both urban and rural settings. Additionally, the program will include dialogues on emerging territories and the evolving ways people inhabit them. On September 22, 2026, the organizers announced 46 finalists—34 in the Projects category and 12 in Publications—chosen from 174 submissions received in July.

The jury of the BIAU recognized projects that actively engage with natural systems, valuing water and greenery not merely as resources to be managed but as vital components that restore ecosystems and improve living conditions. The social impact was also a central criterion, with selected projects demonstrating a deep understanding of local contexts and community needs. These works integrate public participation, cultural heritage, educational opportunities, and economic benefits into the architectural process. In the realm of housing, the proposals extended beyond individual dwellings to consider streets, neighborhoods, and the broader urban fabric, promoting harmonious living, environmentally conscious design, and adaptable construction methods. In the Publications category, the jury applauded the breadth and depth of editorial contributions that place architectural scholarship at the forefront of contemporary discussions. These publications examine dwelling as a fundamental aspect of nurturing life, exploring topics such as education, land use, natural resources, community dynamics, housing solutions, and urban disparities, thereby highlighting the social and political roles of architecture and urbanism. The jury particularly commended research that originates from specific real-world situations to address larger questions, integrating empirical observation, critical analysis, and design expertise. The selection also underscored the importance of publishing and education in preserving historical memory, stimulating dialogue, and encouraging critical thought.

The XIV BIAU, supported by Spain's Ministry of Housing and Urban Agenda, along with the Superior Council of the Colleges of Architects of Spain and the Fundación Arquia, represents a pivotal platform for advancing architectural and urban discourse. Since its inception in 1998, the Biennial has played a crucial role in shaping the understanding and direction of architecture and urbanism across the Ibero-American region. By fostering dialogue and showcasing exemplary works, the BIAU inspires professionals to create environments that not only address immediate needs but also contribute to a more sustainable, equitable, and vibrant future for all.