BIG Architecture Festival 2025 is one of the most important architectural events in south-eastern Europe, which will take place on 22-23 May at the picturesque location of Grando, Obala 10 in Portorož, Slovenia. Under the auspices of the BIG SEE initiative, the festival will become a space for knowledge exchange, collaboration and recognition of groundbreaking projects. Participation in the event is free, provided you have an invitation from the organisers.
International conference: ‘Common sense in architecture’
At the heart of the festival is an international conference, whose theme will be common sense / space / responsibility…. in architecture. Leading architects and thought leaders will engage in discussions on responsible, sustainable and contextual approaches to design. The curated programme will address pressing global issues including climate change resilience, closed-loop construction, adaptive reuse and the ethical implications of artificial intelligence in architectural practice. The conference aims to redefine how common sense principles can make contemporary architecture more socially and environmentally conscious.
Scheduled debates: The future of architecture in the face of global change
BIG Architecture Festival 2025 will initiate conversations through a series of thought-provoking debates that explore the evolving role of architecture in a rapidly changing world. From cutting-edge design processes based on artificial intelligence to the future of cities and the global representation of Southeast European countries, these discussions will bring together leading experts, architects and urban planners to address key challenges and opportunities.
The debate Beyond Algorithms: The Human Touch in AI-Enhanced Architecture will examine the growing role of artificial intelligence in architectural design, highlighting both its potential and limitations. While artificial intelligence offers efficiency, optimisation and new creative possibilities, the discussion will focus on maintaining architectural diversity, cultural identity and ethical considerations in the face of automation.
Urban transformation will take centre stage in Envisioning a City: Future Perspectives from North and South, curated by Selçuk Avcı. Urban architects from different parts of the SEE region will present their visions of resilient, sustainable urban development. The discussion will compare strategies shaped in different climatic, economic and cultural contexts, addressing challenges such as climate change adaptation, revitalisation of public space and integration of smart technologies.
Moving to the global stage, SEE in Venice-Venice at BIG Architecture: Synergies for 2027 will assess the participation of 21 Southeast European countries in the Venice Architecture Biennale 2025. Experts and national representatives will reflect on their contributions and explore ways to strengthen regional cooperation for a stronger, more united presence in 2027.
Finally, Shaping the Future of World Expos: SEE Countries Beyond Osaka 2025 will explore how SEE countries can maximise their impact at EXPO 2025 Osaka and future EXPOS. The discussion will highlight architectural innovations, national branding and strategies to increase the region’s visibility in these influential global events.
Exhibition: SEE the Future – Reimagining the Cities of Tomorrow
The Cities of the Future exhibition at BIG Architecture 2025 will present visionary ideas for the evolution of urban life in South East Europe and beyond. Architects and students from across the region will present innovative insights into how cities can adapt to climate change.
Industry innovation, networking and exchange of experiences
With more than 100 exhibitors, the fair will serve as a hub for industry professionals looking for the latest innovations in architecture, interior design, materials and sustainable solutions. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about the latest products, technologies and services that are shaping the future of the built environment.
With an expected attendance of more than 3,000 architects, designers and decision-makers, BIG Architecture Festival 2025 offers unparalleled opportunities to forge new partnerships and collaborate on ground-breaking ideas.
BIG Architecture & Interior Design Awards 2025
The festival will also celebrate the best in architecture and interior design with the prestigious BIG Architecture & Interior Design Awards 2025. Originally launched as a platform to discover the creative potential of South East Europe, BIG SEE has become a global movement to recognise excellence in architecture, design and beyond.
The 2025 edition features a prestigious panel of jury members, including influential personalities such as Juergen Mayer H., Pascale Sablan, Paul Robbrecht, Fernando Rodríguez, Amin Taha and Kentaro Takeguchi, ensuring a rigorous judging process and celebration of groundbreaking architectural achievements.
More than 600 projects and themes will be presented during the two-day festival. Entries for the awards are open until 13 April 2025.The BIG Architecture Festival 2025 aims to inspire architects and designers to embrace common sense, shared spaces and collective responsibility in their work.
Participation in the BIG Architecture Festival 2025 is free with an invitation from the organisers.
For more information on invitations and the programme, visit bigsee.eu/visit-big-architecture. WhiteMAD magazine is a media patron of the event.
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