Call for action - 6ª biennale svizzera del territorio (Lugano)

The 6TH biennale svizzera del territorio, organised by the Istituto Internazionale d’Architettura in Lugano, is launching a call for action on the theme “handle with care”. 

The call is open to professionals of all ages and from all over the world.

Handle with care

Building, demolishing, building again... that is easy. But caring for things, making them last, keeping them alive, repairing them. That is a difficult task. You have to observe, listen, pay attention. Study, understand. Recognise what exists, even if it’s fragile, even if it’s not perfect. You need allies. It’s a task for those who know from experience the consequences of destruction, who know the price of maintenance, who know a thing of beauty is a joy forever. If you can handle it, caring is power.

Proposals can be of many kinds, ranging from installations, constructed or transformative interventions, to performances, artistic works, or architectural visions.

Submissions

Submissions must be sent by February 9, 2026.

Announcement of call winners will be sent within March 2026. All proposals will be exhibited during the biennale, with the agreement of the authors. The selected teams will have free accommodation and free access to all three days of the biennale. The actions will be set up in the park of Villa Saroli till the end of November 2026.

Download the information related to this competition here.