Tallinn Architecture Biennale TAB 2026 Curatorial Competition

The Estonian Centre for Architecture announces the curatorial competition for the VIII Tallinn Architecture Biennale TAB 2026

On 10 July, the Estonian Centre for Architecture announced the international curatorial competition to find a leading curatorial team for the eighth edition of the Tallinn Architecture Biennale TAB 2026. Founded in 2011, the Tallinn Architecture Biennale is Estonia`s foremost international festival dedicated to architecture and built environment with the opening week of the biennale taking place from 9^th to 13^th September 2026.

The aim of the competition is to find a curatorial team with a strong vision to develop the central concept of TAB 2026 and curate the festival's Core Programme, which includes the Curatorial Exhibition, the Symposium, the Tallinn Vision Competition, and the TAB catalogue. 

The TAB Curatorial Competition is open to the public and welcomes proposals both from Estonia and abroad. It is aimed at a broad spectrum of practitioners and thinkers such as architects, interior designers, landscape architects, urban planners and scholars of architecture and art history, while proposals from applicants working across and between these disciplines are warmly encouraged. At least one member of the team has to be an architect, urban planner, landscape or interior designer.

The appointed curatorial team will be entrusted with formulating the central concept for TAB 2026. The TAB 2026 must engage spatial and architectural concerns with a clear connection to the Estonian context as well as wider regional Baltic and Nordic architectural space. The topic must be conceptually clear and up-to-date, address the local architectural community and have a potential for international public discourse.

Kristiina Reidolv, CEO of the Estonian Centre for Architecture comments on the curatorial competition call:

"In the face of current urgencies, we are facing globally such as geopolitical security issues, climate crises or increasing social and economic inequalities, it is important that the curatorial concept should resonate more broadly with what is happening in the society and spatial culture both in Estonia and the Nordic and Baltic countries. These relevant issues can and should be tackled through culture or history.”

"On the other hand, we consider interdisciplinary approach relevant because it allows for a more comprehensive understanding of complex issues by integrating knowledge and perspectives from multiple disciplines. In contemporary culture, the most interesting, bold and innovative ideas are often born from the common area and contact between different fields. Therefore, we encourage not only architects but also representatives of various disciplines from Estonia and abroad to apply for the curatorial competition."

The Tallinn Architecture Biennale TAB 2026 will take place from 9^th September to 30^th November 2026. It consists of the Curated Core Programme, architectural Supplementary Programme, and the interdisciplinary Satellite Programme. 

The entries will be judged by a jury consisting of outstanding representatives of the field of Estonian architecture and culture as well as professionals with previous curatorial experience at TAB - Sille Pihlak (PART Architects, Dean of the Faculty of Architecture of the Estonian Academy of Arts), Aet Ader (B210, President of the Union of Estonian Architects), Kristiina Reidolv (Head of the Estonian Centre for Architecture), Jaan Kuusemets (DAGOpen OÜ, Associate Professor at Tallinn University of Technology TalTech, member of the TAB 2024 curatorial team) and Roland Reemaa (LLRRLLRR, guest lecturer at the Estonian Academy of Arts EKA and Central Saint Martins, London). 

The submission deadline for the first stage of the competition is 8^th September 2025, and 26^th September 2025 for the second stage. The winner of the competition will be announced on 13 October 2025.

You can read more about the terms and conditions of the curatorial competition on the website HERE.

With its activities, the Estonian Centre for Architecture focuses on contemporary Estonian architecture and its future. Its mission is to promote and develop contemporary Estonian architecture and urban design, increase architectural awareness, and collect, exchange, mediate and disseminate architectural information in Estonia and abroad. The Estonian Centre for Architecture shapes the international image of Estonian architecture by organising the Tallinn Architecture Biennale (TAB). In addition, the centre organises architectural tours, Open House Tallinn, Urban Forums, conducts development training in the Estonian architectural sector and issues publications introducing contemporary architecture.