The Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda (Mitma), in collaboration with the Higher Council of Spanish Architects' Associations (CSCAE) and supported by the Arquia Foundation, has launched a two-stage selection process to choose the curatorial team for the XVI Spanish Biennial of Architecture and Urbanism (BEAU). The deadline for submitting proposals for the first stage is December 14, 2022.
The theme of this new edition of the BEAU is "We Are the Architecture We Live," focusing on the need to define an architecture that rebuilds the bond between human beings and the Earth, the architecture and urbanism of the future, and the discipline's capacity to help reverse our impact on the ecosystem and the fragile habitable zone.
Architects are invited to participate in this curatorial call to redefine how we build an environment that responds to current social challenges, offering thoughtful and respectful solutions for everyone, and harnessing their ability to imagine a better future.
The XVI BEAU aims to offer a curated selection showcasing the diverse landscape of Spanish architects' work during 2021 and 2022, while striving to bring its content closer to society.
In line with the objectives of Spain's recent Architecture Quality Law, the curatorship must align with promoting a more responsible, supportive, and sustainable architectural culture that optimizes resources and has a greater impact on improving citizens' quality of life.
As mentioned above, the call involves a two-stage process. The first round will be anonymous and open to all interested individuals or legal entities, provided the team director is an architect. A committee of experts will select up to five finalist proposals, which will be further developed and presented in person during the second round to determine the winner and awardee of the service contract.
For more information, consult the call guidelines on the architecture biennials website.
About the BEAU
Throughout its history, the Spanish Biennial of Architecture and Urbanism has aimed to collect, disseminate, and promote architectural works deemed worthy of recognition as useful cultural and professional elements for the understanding, historical reflection, and research of Spanish architecture.
First held in 1991, and after fifteen editions, the biennial has become one of the fundamental benchmarks for recognizing the best of architecture and urbanism in Spain.
Since its inception, the BEAU has integrated a series of activities specifically related to architecture. Organized by various collaborating institutions, these include an open call to select the best architectural and urban works designed by Spanish architects in the previous two years, an exhibition, a catalog showcasing the jury's selected projects across all categories, and a program of events accompanying the traveling exhibition as it visits prominent national and international venues.
Past directors of the Spanish Biennial of Architecture and Urbanism include: Luis Peña Ganchegui (1991), Pedro Casariego (1993), Javier Frechilla Camoiras (1995), Carlos Ferrater Lambarri (1997), Cesar Portela (1999), Manuel de las Casas (2001), Antonio Ortiz García (2003), Dolores Alonso (2005), Flora Pescador (2007), Emilio Tuñón and Luis Moreno Mansilla (2009), Félix Arranz and Joaquín Sabaté (2011), Fuensanta Nieto and Enrique Sobejano (2013), Begoña Díaz-Urgorri, Juan Domingo Santos and Carmen Moreno (2015), Sara de Giles and José Morales (2018), Anna Bach, Eugeni Bach, and Oscar Ares (2020).
This article was written by Mili Sánchez Azcona. The translation is powered by AI.
