Open Call: International Architecture Biennale Rotterdam

The 10th International Architecture Biennale Rotterdam, titled IT’S ABOUT TIME, will reflect on the notion of time and design. Time, we claim, is an essential yet neglected parameter in designing sustainable futures. It is therefore only antidote to the short-term interests that seem to be ruling the world.

In 1972, the seminal book The Limits to Growth warned that exponential economic growth would lead to ecological disasters within a century unless society made fundamental changes. Our current economic system has fulfilled the worst-case projections made 50 years ago. Each one of us now needs to answer the question: How can we—personally and as a society at large—radically change the perspective on growth, development, urbanity? Historically, mainstream architecture has facilitated and stimulated economic growth while contributing to an ever-escalating human footprint, exponential carbon emissions, resource extraction, and loss of biodiversity. It’s time for the power of design to contribute to an environmentally and socially conscious future, and to develop alternative visions.

The International Architecture Biennale Rotterdam (IABR) is releasing an open call for realized projects, research projects, or conceptual propositions that can lead to new visions of development in architectural design. Contributions at all scales are welcomed. You can also submit projects that you observed are having a decisive impact, and act as a supporter. We will give visibility to all practices that are impactful through their interventions in the present. Concurrently, we will highlight proposals that give a better understanding of the neglected lessons from the past and projects that will inspire us with visions for the future.

The IABR 2022 has identified three fundamental, complementary yet interwoven attitudes to pressure transition. Three crucial roles time could play in the broader processes of social change by engaging architects, landscape architects, designers, urban thinkers, as well as public authorities, private stakeholders, community lead projects, and initiatives coming from civil society at large. The ACCELERATOR explores which role time pressure and/or technologies can play in enhancing the processes using smart system, scalable solutions, and digital tools to define fundamental changes toward sustainable futures. The ACTIVIST takes immediate action, is rooted in the here and now, and uses intuition and collaboration to enhance dialogue with local communities while stimulating empowerment strategies. The ANCESTOR researches through time and combines disciplinary lenses to create long-term models of development. The Ancestor reveals visions that inspire change, taking into account historically developed injustice and the well-being of future generations.

These three approaches can inspire us to engage deeply in processes of social transformation of our environment. Only by understanding our responsibility as design professionals and individuals can we make the necessary transformations to reestablish a balance between our presence on the planet and the other natural forces that sustain our lives. IT’S ABOUT TIME to engage in a world that is sustainable, functional, equitable, and also deeply desirable.

Selected entries will be exhibited in the 10th International Architecture Biennale Rotterdam: IT’S ABOUT TIME, in one of three ways: 1) exhibited in the overall exhibition, 2) selected to be developed into a large-scale installation, funded by IABR, or 3) become involved in the discursive parallel program of IT’S ABOUT TIME.

The 10th International Architecture Biennale Rotterdam (IABR) will be held from 22 September to 27 November 2022. International Architecture Biennale Rotterdam is a think and do tank and a biennial platform for architecture, urban design, spatial planning and landscape architecture. The IABR enables research as well as concrete (cultural) contributions to the changes needed for a sustainable and equitable future for mankind and the planet.

Submission requirements

Submit your project using the online form at the IABR-website.

• 1 to 6 high-resolution images (.jpg, .tif or .pdf; max. 10 MB per image)
• One caption per image, including possible credits (max. 300 characters per caption)
• Short description of the project(s) you are submitting (max. 1,000 characters)
• Brief explanation of the current context and the impact that your project, practice, or perspective can have (max. 1,000 characters)
• Brief explanation of your project in relation to the text above and/or (one of) the three design attitudes, Accelerator/Activist/Ancestor (max. 1,000 characters)
• Optional: portfolio (.pdf; max. 20 MB)

Submission deadline

May 15, 2022, 12pm CET

Date of response

All candidates will receive a response to their submission by May 31, 2022.

Selected entries will be exhibited in the 10th International Architecture Biennale Rotterdam: IT’S ABOUT TIME, in one of three ways: 1) exhibited in the overall exhibition, 2) selected to be developed into a large-scale installation, funded by IABR, or 3) become involved in the discursive parallel program of IT’S ABOUT TIME.