Decarbonizing Architecture 2026

Confirmed speakers

"Decarbonising Architecture 2026" will bring together some of the leading national and international experts in housing, sustainability and public policy, who will share innovative perspectives and real-world experiences on the challenges of decarbonisation and affordable housing.

Discover the first confirmed speakers:

Matthew Baldwin
Head of the Housing Task Force, European Commission

Lisa De Visscher
Chief Architect of Brussels

Ciarán Cuffe
Architect and former Member of the European Parliament, specializing in sustainability and urban planning

Teresa Táboas
Secretary General of the International Union of Architects (UIA)

Marta Peris + José Toral
Architecture studio from Barcelona, RIBA International Award 2024 and XV BEAU Award

David Juárez
Founding partner of the Straddle3, architecture collective based in Barcelona

Albert Gassull
Director of Public Space at the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona (AMB)

Josep Maria Borrell
Director of Metropolitan Institute for Land Development and Property Management (IMPSOL)

THE FUTURE OF HOUSING IN EUROPE: FROM POLICY TO IMPLEMENTATION

After four editions, the "Decarbonising Architecture 2026" conference aims to take a step further by addressing the regulatory, economic and organisational barriers that hinder the transformation of the building sector, and by identifying the governance tools and mechanisms needed to make an affordable, healthy, resilient and decarbonised housing stock a reality.

Beyond showcasing exemplary architectural projects, the conference seeks to identify the conditions that make them possible: well-designed procurement processes, enabling regulations, incentives, new management models and best practices from across Europe that can be replicated.

Under the theme "The Future of Housing in Europe: From Policy to Implementation", this fifth edition focuses on an urgent issue that is also rich with opportunities: how to address the climate emergency and the housing crisis simultaneously. In this context, decarbonising the residencial building stock is an opportunity to rethink housing from a holistic perspective capable of reducing energy demand, improving thermal comfort, ensuring healthy living conditions, lowering household energy bills and strengthening social cohesion in neighbourhoods.

From diagnosis to action
The conference will bring together architects, public administration representatives, policymakers and other key stakeholders to discuss the tools, governance models, financing mechanisms and regulatory frameworks needed to turn this transformation into reality. More than a forum for reflection, this edition is designed as a platform for action: an opportunity to share experiences, build partnerships and help shape recommendations that support housing solutions combining architectural quality, affordability, health, energy efficiency and climate resilience.

CONFERENCE PROGRAMME

Keynote:
More housing, less carbon

Session 1:
Agendas for change: From european vision to local delivery

Sessión 2:
From existing buildings to better homes

Session 3:
The "new" new construction

Round table:
What Europe needs to make more and better housing possible: Architectural quality as public value