Our Highlights of Architecture's Most Notable Events for Spring 2020

With an overwhelming number of architecture and design events happening around the globe, the Bustler team is on a mission to highlight the most noteworthy festivals, biennales, expos, exhibitions, and more that are relevant to professionals, students, and any diehard architecture enthusiast.

For many creative types including architects and designers, the start of a new year is motivation to hit the refresh button. And the next few months will be full of opportunities to learn, connect, and get inspired — whether that's expanding your knowledge in architectural practice, visiting an art exhibition, leveling up in your career, or networking more to meet potential clients and collaborators. So start planning now with Bustler’s latest master list of upcoming (and some ongoing!) events for Spring 2020!

UPDATE: Some March and all April events listed here have been updated to indicate whether the event has been postponed or canceled in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. You can find COVID-19 coverage on our sister site Archinect. 

ICYMI — ONGOING EVENTS

[CANCELED] In Search of Contoured Playground | Open now through Feb 2 | Long Island City, NY 

Noguchi first created the design for his Contoured Playground in 1941, utilizing “earth modulations” to construct a compact landscape in which children could play. However, the project was never built. For this exhibition, developed in collaboration with architect Naomi Frangos, Visiting Associate Professor, Cornell University, the Noguchi Museum will treat Contoured Playground as a piece of theoretical architecture.

Sharjah Architectural Triennial | Open now through Feb 8, 2020 | Sharjah, AE

Sharjah Architecture Triennial is the first major platform for architecture and urbanism in the Middle East, North and East Africa, and South and Southeast Asia. The inaugural theme is “Rights of Future Generations”, which aims to fundamentally challenge the way we think about designing societies and environments, with important implications for architecture, urban design, and planning. The exploration of this concept both within the context of the Arabic-speaking world and the Global South is at the heart of the inaugural Sharjah Architecture Triennial.

Resident Alien: Austrian Architects in America | Open now through Feb 17, 2020 | New York, NY

Resident Alien is shining a light on the distinct cultural contributions that iconic Austrian-American architects like Adolf Loos, Richard Neutra, Ella Briggs, and Rudolph Schindler have made over the last century in the United States and how their legacy continues in the current generation. Curated by Stephen Phillips and Axel Schmitzberger, Resident Alien: Austrian Architects in America features numerous practitioners whose expertise not only changed the profession but in some cases, the American zeitgeist.

[TEMPORARILY CLOSED] Frank Lloyd Wright Textiles: The Taliesin Line, 1955-60 | Open now through Apr 5, 2020 | New York, NY

When Frank Lloyd Wright launched a line of affordable home products for the masses in 1955, the designs for the fabrics and wallpapers (which were based on Wright's architectural vocabulary and inspired by specific buildings) were featured in a sample book called Schumacher’s Taliesin Line of Decorative Fabrics and Wallpapers Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright (1955). This installation at The Met will present the book and nine examples of the fabric it introduced, all from the original line produced by F. Schumacher and Co.

FEBRUARY

Madrid Design Festival 2020 | Feb 1-Mar 29 | Madrid, ES

Madrid Design Festival is an international event that wants to convert Madrid into the capital of design and elevate the city to a privileged position on the international arena. The festival is held in February and will encompass all design disciplines, from architecture to graphic design, communications to interior design, all of them hybridizing into a contemporary and innovative format.

Stockholm Design Week 2020 | Feb 3-9 | Stockholm, SE

Together with Stockholm Furniture & Light Fair, Stockholm Design Week has established itself as the most important week of the year for Scandinavian Design since its launch in 2002. The event is a meeting point for buyers, architects, designers, press and influencers from all over the World. The 2019 edition included more than 400 events.

2°C Symposium 2020 | Feb 7 | Los Angeles, CA

Organized by the American Institute of Architects’ Committee on the Environment Los Angeles (COTE LA) the third 2°C Symposium on Climate Change builds on Mayor’s Garcetti proposed LA City Green New Deal with actionable solutions in the Building and Urban Scales, supported by LA-grown NASA’s JPL findings. 

Surface Design Show 2020 | Feb 11-13 | London, GB

Join us for 2½-days of education, entertainment and engagement. Surface Design Show is the only event in the UK that focuses solely on interior and exterior surfaces and returns to London's Business Design Centre to showcase the best in surface material design, development, innovation and manufacturing.

[POSTPONED] 2020 Designers & Architects Talk: Design and Its Impact on Client Success | Feb 11-May 5 | Chicago, IL

Presented by IIDA and AIA Chicago, this second annual series of four discussions at IIDA headquarters in spring 2020 will address commercial interior architecture and design. Both architects and commercial interior designers will learn from the provocative discussions about projects, firm leadership, and design strategy.

Buildex Vancouver 2020 | Feb 12-13 | Vancouver, BC, CA

BUILDEX Vancouver is Western Canada’s largest forum connecting the holistic building industry, uniting tradition and innovation to shape the spaces of tomorrow. It brings together talent from across industry to interact, learn and discover the newest innovations of a market in constant transformation.

Palm Springs Modernism Week 2020 | Feb 13-Feb 23 | Palm Springs, CA

Palm Springs Modernism Week highlights midcentury modern architecture, art, interior and landscape design, and vintage culture in the Palm Springs area of Southern California. Now in its 15th year, the annual 11-day festival will feature more than 350 events including the Palm Springs Modernism Show & Sale, tours of iconic homes in more than 30 neighborhoods, and the popular Signature Home Tour on both weekends.

Design Indaba Conference 2020 | Feb 23-26 | Cape Town, ZA

Independently curated with a focus on case studies and ingenious problem solving, rather than simply eye-catching portfolios, conference alumni are contemporary industry pacesetters. Despite its name, the Conference's scope has broadened over the years to include all the creative sectors; in recent years it has been dubbed by some as The Conference on Creativity.

MARCH

Asia Pacific Architecture Festival | Mar 7-20 | Brisbane, AU

The 2020 Asia Pacific Architecture Festival adopts the theme of “Water.” We each have a relationship with water, as an identity or a memory, but first and foremost as a necessary resource. In a time of great environmental challenges, water plays a significant role in the growth of urban and rural regions. With current affairs in mind, the 2020 festival will showcase leading architects, designers and planners, and their innovative responses to water across the Asia Pacific region.

[POSTPONED] 108th ACSA Annual Meeting | Mar 12-14 | San Diego, CA

Join ACSA for a new conference experience! ACSA108 invites architecture professors and professionals from across the globe to discuss the role of Building Science & Technology, Design, Digital Technology, Ecology, Health, History, Theory, Criticism, Pedagogy, Practice, Society + Community, and Urbanism in our society today. There will be paper sessions, project session, special focus sessions, and workshops pertaining to the theme OPEN BORDERS.

[CANCELED] SXSW 2020 | Mar 13-22 | Austin, TX

Each March in Austin, diverse groups of creatives across tech, film, and music industries converge at the SXSW Conference & Festivals. Journey into Austin’s own world’s fair of the future – the premier destination for global thought leaders working on new ideas to build a better future during 10 days of collaboration.

FLA: Design Thinking and Innovation Week | Mar 16-20 | London, GB

An immersive program of keynote presentations, case studies, roundtable discussions and visits for creative entrepreneurs, innovation directors and business owners. Some people call our format a 'design safari', some say it's a VIP behind-the-scenes experience or a research trip. During the week you will also explore the latest trends and discoveries in virtual reality, artificial intelligence, sustainability and future of technologies.

Art Basel Hong Kong 2020 | Mar 19-21 | Hong Kong

Our Hong Kong show, held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, features premier galleries from Asia and beyond. The show provides an in-depth overview of the region’s diversity through both historical material and cutting-edge works by established and emerging artists.

Sydney Build 2020 | Mar 19-20 | Sydney, AU

Now in its 5th year, Sydney Build has become the best-attended B2B construction tradeshow in the whole of Australia. This is the only event of its kind to offer 300+ accredited presentations, 350+ exhibitors and incredible networking opportunities with 10,000+ construction professionals.

Architectural Digest Design Show | Mar 19-22 | New York, NY

The 19th annual Architectural Digest Design Show showcases the best in the design and luxury market. The four-day fair features more than 400 premium brands and covers a range of categories. From product launches to special events to panel discussions with top design leaders on a variety of topics, the show is a must-attend for the industry’s professionals and discerning consumers.

[POSTPONED] Final Exhibition 14th Arte Laguna Prize | Mar 21-Apr 13 | Venice, IT

The final exhibition of Arte Laguna Prize is back in the breathtaking spaces of the ARSENALE OF VENICE. From March 21st to April 13th the 120 finalist works from all over the world will be on display in the historical location of the Arsenale Nord in Venice. The exhibition is curated by Igor Zanti with the collaboration of eight international jurors and it gives a glimpse into the current state of international contemporary art.

[POSTPONED] Texas Design Week Houston | Mar 23-30 | Houston, TX

Texas Design Week is comprised of a series of Design + Art Talks by noted interior designers, architects, artists, product designers, and visionaries, with a full program of book signings, pop-up shops, salon talks and cocktail events.

[POSTPONED] Boston Design Week 2020 | Mar 25-Apr 5 | Boston, MA

Boston Design Week seeks to increase public awareness and appreciation of all aspects of design, foster recognition of the vital role design plays in our lives, and bring new audiences to a wide array of design industries and organizations.  Our vision is to encourage the public to explore all aspects of design.

[CANCELED] Architecture and Design Film Festival - DC2020 | Mar 26-29 | Washington D.C.

With a curated selection of films, events and panel discussions, ADFF creates an opportunity to entertain, engage and educate all types of people who are excited about architecture and design. With well-attended screenings, legendary panelists, vibrant discussions and events in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, it has grown into the nation’s largest film festival devoted to the subject.

[POSTPONED] 2020 Digital Signage Expo | Mar 31-Apr 3 | Las Vegas, NV

Digital Signage Expo is a fully immersive experience that explores every aspect of digital and interactive display, from concept and design to content and analytics. It’s the world’s only comprehensive international event dedicated to digital signage solutions

APRIL

[POSTPONED] CTBUH 2020 Tall + Urban Innovation Conference | Apr 5-7 | Chicago, IL

The annual CTBUH Tall + Urban Innovation Conference explores and celebrates the very best in innovative tall buildings, urban spaces, building technologies, and construction practices from around the world. Taking place in CTBUH's hometown of Chicago, this conference sees the owner/developers, design, and engineer teams for 50+ Awarded projects present in front of an international audience and live juries for winning distinctions across several award categories. Hot topics in the building industry will also be explored through presentations in project rooms.

[POSTPONED] Coachella 2020 | Apr 10-12, Apr 17-19 | Indio, CA

One of the largest and most famous events of its kind in the world, the annual Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival returns to Indio, CA once again this April. The 2020 large-scale art installations are being designed by: Architensions, Cristopher Cichocki, Kiki Van Eijk, Estudio Normal, Oana Stanescu, NEWSUBSTANCE, Do LaB, and Robert Bose.

[CANCELED] Coverings 2020 | Apr 20-23 | New Orleans, LA

For thirty years, Coverings has been the preeminent event for the ceramic tile & natural stone industry in North America. All in one venue, see thousands of dazzling products, connect with suppliers from around the globe and discover ground-breaking techniques, tips and tricks. If it’s new in tile & stone, it’s at Coverings.

[POSTPONED] Salone del Mobile Milano 2020 | Apr 21 | Milan, IT

The many exhibitors along with the thousands of products being unveiled for the first time confirm the Salone Internazionale del Mobile’s enormous value as an international showcase for creativity and a forum for industry professionals, with more than 370,000 attendees on average.

Be sure to check back regularly to keep track of the architecture and design world's biggest upcoming events. You can find more Bustler event listings here.