World Architecture Capital 2026

UNESCO-UIA has revealed the World Capital of Architecture for 2026!

Author

Yagmur Baydır
January 02, 2026

Dear PA reader,

As Barcelona prepares to host the UNESCO-UIA World Capital of Architecture 2026, the city is set to become a global stage for discussions on sustainability, public space, and the social role of design. In Tokyo, DESIGNART 2025 redefined Japanese creative expression under the evocative and challenging theme “Brave, The Pursuit of Instinctive Beauty,” featuring works by over 300 creators and brands.

The plant-inspired robot FiloBot proposes a new model of movement based on growth rather than mechanics. Louis Vuitton has opened its new Maison Louis Vuitton Sanlitun flagship in Beijing, where Japanese architect Jun Aoki transforms luxury retail into an immersive architectural experience through a fluid glass façade

Tianjin’s long-stalled Goldin Finance 117 signals shifting real-estate priorities as construction may resume. Saudi Arabia is set to launch the Middle East’s first ultra-luxury rail experience in 2026 with the Desert Dream Train, a five-star journey designed by Aline Asmar d’Amman. New Tashkent’s digital-twin masterplan points to a future where cities are tested in data before taking physical form.

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Access all PAACADEMY’s January workshops in one bundle and explore AI-parametric workflows, robotic fabrication, data-driven urban design, and AI-powered retail architecture! 🚀

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This workshop explores how designers can merge parametric design with generative AI to transform animations into site-integrated architectural visuals. The event is scheduled for January 3 & 4, 2026.

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This workshop teaches participants to design fibrous structures, develop manual and robotic winding workflows, and generate final AI-assisted visualizations. The workshop is scheduled for January 17 & 18, 2026.

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