Mugak/ heads to Barcelona with ARQUIN-FAD to explore utopia in architecture and design

2025 September 3

• After unveiling its official program on September 16 in Donostia-San Sebastián, the Euskadi International Architecture Biennial Mugak/ will continue its journey to Barcelona with a special event in collaboration with ARQUIN-FAD.

03/09/2025

On September 18, the Museu del Disseny de Barcelona – DHub Barcelona will host a conversation on the power of architecture and design as critical tools to imagine and shape new possible worlds.
In a context marked by ecological, social, and housing crises, the fifth edition of Mugak/ — themed “Castles in the Air” — calls for reclaiming the utopian dimension of these disciplines. Not as escapism, but as a catalyst for change towards fairer, more livable, and more sustainable futures.
The evening will bring together leading voices in architecture, design, and cultural criticism to reflect on pressing questions:

• What kinds of architectures are we ready to imagine?
• Where can critical speculation take place today?
• How can creative processes contribute to building what lies ahead?

Program
6:00 pm – Welcome by Marc Aureli Santos, President of ARQUIN-FAD
6:10 pm – Mugak/, a cultural platform to debate the future of architecture: Pablo García Astrain, Director of Housing and Urban Agenda, Basque Government
6:20 pm – “Castles in the Air” or How to Build Utopia Today: María Arana Zubiate, Curator of the Mugak/ Biennial
6:40 pm – Panel discussion: “Are architecture and design today drivers of utopian thought?” with:

• Pablo García Astrain – Director of Housing, Basque Government
• Jelena Prokopljevic – Architect and researcher, ARQUIN-FAD board member
• Oscar Guayabero – Designer and editor of Neutopías
• Ethel Baraona – Critic, writer, curator, and co-founder of dpr-barcelona
• Eva Franch – Architect, curator, educator, and researcher
• Daniele Porretta – Architect and film expert

Moderated by María Arana, curator of the fifth edition of Mugak/
7:45 pm – Closing remarks and cocktail reception

Free registration