RIAI Conference 2026: Ireland’s largest built environment event highlights Architecture’s contribution to the common good

The RIAI will host its Annual Conference on 7-8 October at the RDS, Dublin, now the largest built environment conference in Ireland and a landmark gathering for the sector. This year’s conference, featuring a keynote address by the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, Jack Chambers, and is an Associated Event of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Over the two days, through expert-led sessions and keynotes, the conference will demonstrate how thoughtful design delivers lasting public value and improves quality of life for communities across Ireland.

The theme of the conference, “Architecture for the Common Good”, explores the value architecture brings to Ireland’s society, economy and culture. As Ireland grapples with increasingly complex built environment challenges, from significant urbanisation and population growth to climate change and rising flood risk, the RIAI Conference 2026 will bring together leading architects, policymakers and industry experts, on the theme ‘Architecture for the Common Good’.  The conference will showcase how innovative design and architectural thinking can help create more resilient, sustainable and inclusive communities. 

The fact that the Conference is an associated Event of the Irish Presidency of Council of the European Union shows the gravity of the event and that how significantly architecture contributes to the common good of Ireland, in the areas of housing, infrastructure and public goods.

RIAI President, Fionnuala May FRIAI said, 

“This year’s Conference will highlight how architects contribute to the common good, and how our expertise can be leveraged to address the housing and infrastructure challenges posed by our growing population.

“Architects are fundamental to delivering public value across housing, urban planning and critical infrastructure. Architect-led design can transform communities and ensures public projects are sustainable, cost-effective and provide long-term value for money for the State.”

Highlights of this year’s programme include:

• Níall McLaughlin FRIAI: internationally renowned Irish architect and recipient of the 2026 RIBA Royal Gold Medal for his achievements in architectural practice, thinking, writing and education

• Professor Wulf Daseking: an urban planner and former Chief Planning Officer for the City of Freiburg, recognised for the transformation of the city into one of Europe’s most sustainable cities with an extensive public transport infrastructure system and quality housing.

• Kirsten Lees, Managing Director, Grimshaw Architects: discussing architects’ delivery of transport masterplans.

• Conor Sreenan MRIAI, Ireland's State Architect and Principal Architect at the Office of Public Works

• Maria Buhigas San José: Chief Architect of the Barcelona City Council – a city known for its investment in housing and public space & transport infrastructure

• Estudio Teddy Cruz + Fonna Forman, a research-based urban and architectural design practice at the University of California, San Diego, who work on geopolitical issues of borders and migration, and demonstrate how architects can provide dignified emergency infrastructure for some of the most vulnerable in society.

• Diarmaid Ferriter: Setting the conference theme, ‘Ireland and the Common Good’, within a broader historical context will be delivered by the renowned Professor and Chair of Modern Irish History at UCD.

• Roisin Heneghan FRIAI and Shih-Fu Peng FRIAI: Irish architects with an international reputation, including the acclaimed Grand Egyptian Museum

• Josep Ricart Ulldemolins: Co-founder of Harquitectes in Barcelona, will share examples of high-quality design in affordable housing and in projects for social inclusion.

 To view all Conference speakers, click here.