Exhibiting architecture is not an easy exercise but it is an extremely important one. Architectural exhibitions across history have been significant in sharing design, theory and technology with fellow architects, students and all others involved with the construction of buildings. Exhibitions are a great way to explore newer forms of construction technology and fresh design approaches. The architecture fraternity now is blessed with a number of exhibitions curated each year with a range of themes and topics. The range is such that there are some exhibitions that are renditions of research queries and some that only exhibit building materials. From The Great Exhibition, London, 1851 to Dubai Expo 2020, we have come a long way. The coming year is set to bring us some more of these exhibitions and expos.
Here are 10 architectural exhibitions to look for in 2021:
1. Biennale Architettura 2021: 17th International Architecture Exhibition | Architectural exhibitions
WHEN: 22nd May 2021 – 21st November 2021
WHERE: Venice
FOR MORE INFO: https://www.labiennale.org/en/architecture/2021
One of the major and most prestigious architectural exhibitions is Biennale Architettura – The International Architecture Exhibition. Biennale Architettura 2021 is titled ‘How will we live together?’ “The question, “How will we live together?” is as much a social and political question as a spatial one.” – said curator Hashim Sarkis. The 17th exhibition invites participant architects to include other professionals such as artists, builders, craftspeople, and also politicians, journalists, and everyday citizens.
There’s no reason to not look forward to the Biennale Architettura 2021. Especially because the theme of this year is so relevant and the issue begged for architectural discourse.
2. Adolf Loos: Private houses
WHEN: 18th November 2020–14th March 2021
WHERE: MAK – Museum of Applied Arts, Vienna, Austria
FOR MORE INFO: https://www.mak.at/en/adolfloos
ADOLF LOOS: Private House is an exhibition presented by the MAK on the 150th birth anniversary of Adolf Loos (1870-1993). This exhibition intends to present drawings, photographs and models of his private housing projects. The presentation will also include Loos’s social projects. This exhibit is curated in cooperation with The Albertina Museum.
This exhibition of the works of Adolf Loos is a great opportunity for learners of the theory of architecture and architectural history, Loos being an influential theorist of modern architecture himself.
3. The Building Centre London – Conversations about Climate Change | Architectural exhibitions
WHEN: 19th November 2020–19th February 2021
WHERE: Building Centre, London
FOR MORE INFO:https://www.buildingcentre.co.uk/
Building Centre London invited participants from across the globe to take part in a competition about climate change. Designers were challenged to create a sculpture, furniture, or any other functional object that becomes a climate change conversation piece. A design object that sparks climate change conversation. The competition received entries from many countries and the winners have been chosen. Six entries are selected and will be exhibited in the Conversations About Climate Change exhibition.
4. Expo 2020 Dubai
WHEN: 1st October 2021 – 31st March 2022
WHERE: Dubai
FOR MORE INFO: https://www.expo2020dubai.com/en
The most talked-about World Expo since last year is the Expo 2020 Dubai, which due to the pandemic has been scheduled for 2021. It is going to be the very first World Expo ever to be hosted in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia region. ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’ is the theme for this world expo, which has 3 more sub-themes – Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability. This Expo reminds one of the Great Exhibition of 1851 with participants from countries across the globe. It will be a place of enormous exposure to design, technology, architecture and culture.
5. Wood Works 2020-2021 | Architectural exhibitions
WHEN: March 2021
WHERE: Starts from Solstice Art Centre (Ireland)
FOR MORE INFO: https://www.azuremagazine.com/competitions/wood-works/
Wood Works 2020-2021 is a travelling exhibition that will display the results of the project by the same name. Wood Works Project is a collaboration between The Estonian Association of Architects (EAA), Estonian Centre for Architecture (ECA), and the Irish Architecture Foundation (IAF). This is a collaborative effort that focuses on the use of wood in design and construction and promotes an architectural exchange between the architects of Estonia and Ireland.
6. 6th Smart Cities India 2021 expo
WHEN: 24th – 26th March 2021
WHERE: Delhi, India
FOR MORE INFO: https://www.smartcitiesindia.com/
Smart Cities India expo is an event organized by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) & Exhibitions India Group. The expo invites exhibitors from various sectors including buildings, water and sanitation, environmental pollution, urban planning, security, transport and clean energy. Apart from the exhibitions, the Smart Cities India expo 2021 provides a platform to give or listen to talks and conferences.
7. BUDMA. International Construction and Architecture Fair
WHEN: February 2021
WHERE: Poland
FOR MORE INFO: https://www.budma.pl/en
The BUDMA Fair, is essentially a construction technology, products and services fair. It will make for a significant meeting place for architects, builders, construction technology dealers and those who trade in building materials. Access to the latest technological developments and material exploration is the main reason to follow and visit construction and architecture fairs such as this one.
8. ROOF India Exhibition 2021 | Architectural exhibitions
WHEN: 28th – 30th April 2021
WHERE: Mumbai, India
FOR MORE INFO: https://www.roofindia.com/
ROOF INDIA Exhibition is Asia’s largest Roofing and Allied products event. The exhibition provides a platform to explore Pre-engineered Buildings/Factories, Airport modernization / new airport projects, Metro Rail, New Hotel / Resorts, IT Parks, Retail Malls, Hypermarkets, Multiplexes, Integrated Townships, and more.
9. MADE expo 2021
WHEN: 17th – 20th March 2021
WHERE: Milan, Italy
FOR MORE INFO: https://www.madeexpo.it/en/made-expo/made2021.html
MADE expo 2021 is the tenth edition of this annual event. The Expo focuses on sustainable, safe, advanced and high-quality products and solutions for construction and architecture. This year’s event sets its eyes on the future of the construction environment. An exciting event from the perspective of futuristic construction techniques and technologies.
10. ARCHIDEX 2021 – 22nd International Architecture, Interior Design and Building Exhibition | Architectural exhibitions
WHERE: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
FOR MORE INFO: https://archidex.com.my/
ARCHIDEX is an annual industry trade event held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It is an event that invites the fraternity of architecture and Interior Design. All the allied constituencies of building construction and Interior Design mark their presence at ARCHIDEX each year.
