The Concéntrico Festival, known as an urban innovation laboratory, is gearing up for its 2026 season by announcing the three winning urban installations chosen from its international open calls. Since 2015, the festival has been transforming Logroño, Spain, with over 180 interventions that foster contemplation on the urban environment through the lens of architecture and design. This year's expanded program introduces three research directions—ephemeral, ecological, and symbolic—aiming to explore innovative approaches to city dwelling. These selected projects will materialize as urban installations and be displayed during the festival, scheduled to run from June 18 to 23, 2026, in Logroño.
This edition saw an impressive 466 submissions from 41 countries, underscoring the widespread interest in experimental interventions within public spaces. An international jury meticulously selected the top projects across three categories: Ephemeral Agents, Urban Ecologies, and Identity & Fiction. The winning designs—'Frontones Danzantes,' 'Shade, Breeze, Cooling,' and 'El Plano Latente'—delve into themes of interaction, climate adaptation, and community narrative. These installations translate concepts from the book 'Concéntrico: Laboratorio de Innovación Urbana' into tangible experiences, addressing social and temporal aspects, material and environmental considerations, and symbolic storytelling. Additionally, 12 other finalists from each category will have their works featured in an accompanying exhibition during the festival.
Moreover, the festival is broadening its horizons with a new partnership, Concéntrico x Cruïlla, set within the context of Barcelona's designation as the World Capital of Architecture in 2026. This collaboration seeks to merge architectural thought with the performing arts, uniting music, contemporary creativity, and community engagement in urban settings. The initiative invites proposals for the design of the two main stages for Cruïlla 2026, which will take place from July 8 to 11 at Parc del Fòrum. Entrants are encouraged to conceptualize the stages as 'home,' fostering a sense of belonging and collective experience. Two distinct awards will be given for the conceptual design and technical development of each stage. Recent cultural endeavors also include the opening of Eduardo Longo's Casa Bola in São Paulo for the ABERTO exhibition, the third Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale in Riyadh, and continued construction on King Salman Park, while Almaty, Kazakhstan, was named host of the 2029 Asian Winter Games.
The Concéntrico Festival consistently showcases the transformative power of architectural and design interventions in shaping our cities. These projects, whether fostering play, mitigating environmental challenges, or weaving new narratives into the urban fabric, demonstrate a profound commitment to rethinking public spaces as dynamic, inclusive, and forward-looking environments. By inviting diverse perspectives and innovative solutions, the festival not only enriches the cultural landscape but also inspires a more imaginative and sustainable future for urban living.