For the past decade, Concéntrico—an international festival of architecture and design held annually in Logroño, Spain—has transformed the city into a laboratory of public space. Through more than 150 temporary interventions by architects, designers, and artists from around the world, the festival explores how ephemeral architecture can generate lasting dialogues about community, sustainability, and the future of our cities. This lecture, presented by the festival’s founder and director, Javier Peña Ibáñez, and based on the recently published book Concéntrico: Urban Innovation Laboratory, reflects on key projects and curatorial strategies, highlighting how temporary design can activate urban life and foster collective imagination.
The lecture will be followed by presentations from architects Stewart Hicks and Allison Newmeyer (Design With Company) and Kelly Bair (BairBalliet), participants in the festival in 2023 and 2025 with installations supported by MAS Context.
This event is organized in collaboration with MAS Context.
Free and open to all; see you there!
9.29—5:30 pm
Room 1100 A+DS
UIC School of Architecture
845 W Harrison Street
Chicago, Illinois 60607
Concéntrico: Urban Innovation Laboratory (Park Books, 2025). Courtesy of Concéntrico.