Below is a selection of news related to traditional building, architecture, and urbanism:
– Traditional Building Cultures Foundation –
The Winners of the 2026 Rafael Manzano Prize and Richard H. Driehaus Heritage Preservation Medal have been announced
The 14th Rafael Manzano Prize for New Traditional Architecture has been awarded to Fernando Cerqueira Barros, a Portuguese architect whose career is distinguished by his contribution to the preservation and continuity of the architectural traditions of northern Portugal.
The Fundación Hortensia Herrero has been awarded the 2026 Richard H. Driehaus Heritage Preservation Medal in recognition of its contribution to the protection, restoration, and recovery of the historical and artistic heritage of the Valencian Community.
The Rafael Manzano Prize and the Richard H. Driehaus Heritage Preservation Medal are organised by the Traditional Building Cultures Foundation thanks to the generosity of Richard H. Driehaus, in collaboration with INTBAU Spain, INTBAU Portugal, the Fundação Serra Henriques, the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando, and the Ordem dos Arquitectos. These awards are held under the High Patronage of His Excellency the President of the Portuguese Republic.
Publication of the Seventh Issue of the Journal of Traditional Building, Architecture and Urbanism
The Journal of Traditional Building, Architecture and Urbanism is an annual publication organised by the Traditional Building Cultures Foundation thanks to the generosity of Richard H. Driehaus, with the support of the Spanish Ministry of Culture and in collaboration with INTBAU Spain.
The complete new issue, as well as individual articles, can be downloaded through this link.
In addition, the call for papers for all sections of the next issue is open until 31 March 2027.
Print copies of the six most recent issues of the journal are available free of charge (Issue 1 is currently out of stock). Those interested need only arrange and cover the shipping costs through the distributor. Anyone wishing to receive printed copies of the Journal can contact us at journal@culturasconstructivas.org.
The Traditional Building Cultures Foundation presents a new interactive map of published work
The Traditional Building Cultures Foundation has added a new interactive map to its website, allowing users to locate and explore work published through its various initiatives. The map brings together architectural projects, new buildings, rehabilitation and restoration projects, and research from different countries.
– News –
The IPCE presents updated versions of the National Plans for Traditional Architecture and Intangible Cultural Heritage
The Spanish Cultural Heritage Institute (IPCE) has presented the updated versions of the National Plan for Traditional Architecture and the National Plan for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage at its headquarters.
The presentation included a public roundtable discussion in which professionals, technical experts, and other interested participants exchanged views on both plans and their future lines of action.
Call for applications open for the second edition of the Acanthus Prize for historic gardens
The European Route of Historic Gardens, recognised as a Cultural Route of the Council of Europe, has launched the second edition of the Acanthus Prize, which recognises outstanding initiatives in the conservation, restoration, and enhancement of European historic gardens.
The call is open to professionals, researchers, institutions, and organisations from Council of Europe member states. The deadline for applications is 31 December 2026.
Boulouki announces the publication of Under the Landscape, Emerging Alliances of Worlding
Boulouki has opened pre-orders for its first collective book, Under the Landscape, Emerging Alliances of Worlding, to be published by Hatje Cantz (Berlin).
The publication stems from the project of the same name, developed on the Greek islands of Therasia and Santorini between 2021 and 2023, as well as a symposium held in June 2022. It brings together contributions from eighteen authors who explore the landscape as a meeting place for different forms of knowledge, craft practices, research, and relationships with the natural environment.
– Education –
Terrachidia announces its 2027 programme
Terrachidia has announced the dates of its three Oasis Campus workshops for 2027, which will take place in different regions of Morocco: M’Hamid el Ghizlane, from 22 to 29 January; Inzerki, from 17 to 24 April; and Ich, from 21 to 28 August.
These hands-on workshops combine architectural heritage conservation with training in traditional building techniques, including rammed earth, adobe, dry stone construction, and earth and lime renders.
The registration fee includes training, accommodation, and meals.
Monsoon School 2026, in collaboration with INTBAU Malaysia
From 20 December 2026 to 3 January 2027, Monsoon School 2026 will take place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, under the title "Continuing Tradition: Adab for Built Environment and Nature".
The programme will include lectures, discussions, workshops, design exercises, and site visits. It is aimed at students, academics, and young professionals in architecture, urban planning, and related disciplines.
The initiative is organised by SejarARCH and Arkitek SARIM, in collaboration with INTBAU, INTBAU Malaysia (Think City), and Himpunan Keilmuan Muslim (HAKIM).
Madrid School of Architecture to host a seminar on dry stone construction
On 12 and 13 November 2026, the Madrid School of Architecture (ETSAM-UPM) will host the seminar The Art of Dry Stone Construction, organised by the Spanish Ministry of Housing and Urban Agenda and the Centre for Research on Traditional Architecture (CIAT).
The programme will begin on Thursday 12 November with a panel discussion on the contemporary use of this building technique, featuring Emilio Tuñón, Carmen Martínez Arroyo, Rodrigo Perjean, and Arturo Franco Díaz. On Friday 13 November, a series of lectures will explore dry stone construction in different regions of Spain, its building typologies, preservation, and relationship with the landscape.
The seminar will take place in Sala de Grados B at ETSAM (Avenida de Juan de Herrera, 4, Madrid).
Admission is free, subject to availability.
The Architectural Association in London organises a symposium on Léon Krier’s architectural legacy
On 15 January 2027, the Architectural Association in London will host the symposium "Léon Krier’s Architectural Legacy", dedicated to examining the work and ideas of Luxembourgish architect and urban planner Léon Krier (1946–2025), one of the most influential advocates of traditional architecture and urbanism.
The event will explore his critique of the Modern Movement, his proposals for creating human-scale cities, and his contribution to contemporary architecture. The symposium will take place from 14:00 to 18:00, with free admission.
Lecture on "Hakka rammed earth architecture in China"
The UNESCO Chair on Earthen Architecture, Building Cultures and Sustainable Development has published the lecture "Hakka Rammed Earth Architecture in China: Analysis of Earthen Buildings", delivered on 29 October 2026 by Fan Ye, a PhD candidate at the Universitat Politècnica de València and researcher at the Research Centre for Architecture, Heritage and Management for Sustainable Development.
