RIAI Conference 2026

For the 2026 Conference, RIAI President Fionnuala May FRIAI chose a theme centred on architecture’s value to our society, economy and culture – Architecture for the Common Good. Speakers and sessions explored how and where architects impacted society, from policy development, governance and leadership to delivering national infrastructure for housing, public buildings and spaces, and sustainable transport.

The RIAI Conference 2026 was recognised as an Associated Event of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Associated Presidency Events were organised independently of the Presidency but aligned with the themes and priorities of Ireland’s EU Presidency, facilitating discussion of important policy issues at EU level. These events supported wider participation in the Presidency, encouraged policy discussion and engagement, and contributed to the broader programme of activity taking place throughout the Presidency term. The support of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage was gratefully acknowledged. For more information, see here.

The Premier Conference Sponsor was once again Clay & Co., which had supported the RIAI Conference since 2016.

Over 30 Conference Speakers

The RIAI Conference brought together a distinguished line-up of national and international practitioners and thought leaders over two exciting days to share ideas, solutions and exemplars. For the full list of speakers, see here.

The RIAI ‘Rising Stars’ session on 8 October featured the winners of the RIAI Emerging and RIAI Student Awards, who presented their innovative projects. The Conference also welcomed the student exhibition, ‘InTension’, featuring work from Ireland’s six schools of architecture and curated by Ambacht+ Unbuilt, at the Architecture + Building Expo.

The RIAI Hub 

Held alongside the Architecture + Building Expo, the RIAI Conference provided an invaluable opportunity to network with colleagues. A popular feature was the RIAI Hub, which hosted the RIAI Pop-Up Bookshop. In 2026, the Irish Architects Benevolent Society and the RIAI Taskforce for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion also joined the RIAI Hub.

Cement Manufacturers Ireland supported student engagement with the RIAI Conference.