The 16th edition of the INTERARCH Architecture Triennale will take place in Sofia, Bulgaria, from 15 to 17 October 2026. Bringing together architects, urban planners, educators, students, policymakers and cultural institutions, the event will combine an international conference, exhibitions, an architectural competition and visits to Bulgarian architectural and historical sites.

Founded in Sofia in 1981 as the World Architecture Biennale, INTERARCH is one of Europe’s longest-standing international architectural forums and a major event for the profession in Southeastern Europe. Across sixteen editions, it has established the Bulgarian capital as an international meeting place for architectural ideas, innovation and dialogue.

INTERARCH 2026 is organised by the Union of Architects in Bulgaria in partnership with the University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy (UACEG), with the support of the Chamber of Architects in Bulgaria and other national and international institutions.

This year’s event will mark two important anniversaries: the 45th anniversary of the first INTERARCH forum, initiated by the Union of Architects in Bulgaria in 1981, and the 85th anniversary of UACEG.

European policies in architecture

Under the theme “European Policies in Architecture – A Holistic Approach to a World in Transition,” INTERARCH 2026 will examine how architectural policies can help deliver high-quality, affordable and inclusive living environments.

Across Europe, architectural policies and new approaches to design governance increasingly recognise the contribution of a high-quality built environment to economic development, social inclusion, climate resilience, public health and cultural vitality.

Aligned with the principles of the New European Bauhaus, these policies promote places that are sustainable, inclusive and beautiful while respecting Europe’s diverse landscapes, cultures, traditions and local identities. They address subjects including affordable housing, the renovation of the existing building stock, public space, water management, carbon emissions, waste reduction and inclusive urban planning.

INTERARCH 2026 aims to connect policy with practice and advance quality-based processes throughout the life cycle of buildings and public spaces. It will also underline the importance of embedding a comprehensive approach to architectural quality in legislation, public policies and funding programmes.

Conference programme

The main conference will take place on 16 October 2026 in the Aula Maxima at UACEG, 1 Hristo Smirnenski Boulevard, Sofia.

The opening session will include contributions from ACE President Daniel Fügenschuh and a representative of the European Committee of the Regions.

The first panel will address European policies for the built environment and affordable housing. Speakers are expected to include:

• Jean-Philippe Vassal, co-founder of Lacaton & Vassal and 2021 Pritzker Architecture Prize laureate;
• Eugen Pănescu, speaking about affordable housing and the strength of architectural policies in Europe;
• Yasmin Shariff, presenting transformational design approaches for recovery;
• Professor Todor Krastev, addressing policies for the architecture of memory;
• and a Bulgarian speaker presenting housing strategies and the renovation of the country’s built environment.

The afternoon programme will focus on urban planning, innovative urban-management practices and the creation of healthy environments. Contributors will include UACEG Rector Associate Professor Gichka Kutova-Kamenova, President of the Union of Architects in Bulgaria Petar Dikov, former UIA President José Luis Cortés Delgado, Didier Vancutsem a Henning Lensch.

A round-table discussion moderated by the ACE President will examine architectural design competitions as a tool for achieving high-quality buildings and urban spaces.

The conference will conclude with the adoption of a final declaration and the announcement of the INTERARCH 2026 Exhibition-Competition awards.

Participation is free of charge for Bulgarian and international architects and architecture students. The working languages will be English and Bulgarian, with simultaneous interpretation provided.

International Exhibition-Competition

As part of the Triennale, the Union of Architects in Bulgaria and UACEG have launched the INTERARCH 2026 International Exhibition-Competition.

Open to architects from Bulgaria and other countries, the competition invites projects completed during the past three years or currently being implemented. Entries should demonstrate the core values of European architectural policies and respond to subjects such as:

• affordable housing;
• renovation and regeneration of the existing built environment;
• sustainability and climate resilience;
• water management;
• carbon-emission and waste reduction;
• inclusive urban planning;
• healthy public spaces and buildings;
• and innovative architectural solutions.

Proposals should offer new approaches to the built environment or the regeneration of neighbourhood spaces. They should be innovative, sustainable, inclusive and beautiful while respecting landscapes and the diversity of places, traditions and cultures.

Projects will be assessed according to their innovation, comprehensive treatment of the existing built environment, architectural quality, functionality and environmental performance.

The international jury will be chaired by former UIA President José Luis Cortés Delgado and will include Didier Vancutsem, Yasmin Shariff, Istelianna Atanassova a Yasen Kyosev.

Up to three principal distinctions may be presented:

• the INTERARCH 2026 Award;
• the Award of the Union of Architects in Bulgaria;
• the Award of the University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy.

The jury may also grant special distinctions. All awards are honorary and carry no monetary prize.

Competition timetable

• 4 September 2026: deadline for questions
• 8 September 2026: publication of answers
• 28 September 2026: registration and project-submission deadline
• 15 October 2026: announcement of results
• 16 October 2026: award ceremony

Exhibitions and architectural visits

INTERARCH 2026 will open on 15 October with several exhibitions, including an ACE exhibition presenting good practices in the regeneration of Europe’s built environment, the international competition exhibition, an exhibition tracing the history of INTERARCH and a presentation of diploma projects by Bulgarian architecture students.

dne 17 October, participants will be offered free guided visits to selected Bulgarian architectural and historical sites.

Architects and students from across Europe and beyond are invited to join INTERARCH 2026 in Sofia from 15 to 17 October and contribute to a shared discussion on resilient places, architectural quality and a better living environment for all.

Přečtěte si více: https://bularch.eu/interarch-en/tab/exhibition/