Program Architecture Day 2026

LOCATION
Floor 3
THEME
Proximities
MODERATOR
Angelica Åkerman (Form/Design Center)
IN COLLABORATION WITH 
Architects Sweden, Form/Design Center

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09.30–10.00
DOORS OPEN 

Coffee, music and mingling.

10.00–10.10
INTRODUCTION AND WELCOME

Angelica Åkerman from Form/Design Center opens this year’s Architecture Day and introduces the overarching theme PROXIMITIES. This brief introduction sets the framework for the day: we go through the programme, introduce the different stages and explore how the concept of proximity takes shape in relation to architecture, democracy and the designed living environment.

Participant: 
Angelica Åkerman (Form/Design Center)

10.10–10.25
THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY

What ethical and existential values underpin the way we build our shared spaces? Lena Sjöstrand offers a reflective opening to the day based on her experiences from the unique art and architecture project Råängen. These “thoughts for the day” explore architecture from a theological and philosophical perspective – focusing on long-term thinking, care for place and the relationship between people, space and the common good.

Participant: 
Lena Sjöstrand (Priest, Doctor of Theology, Lund Cathedral/Råängen)

10.30–11:00
ARCHITECTS SWEDEN: Architecture as Democratic Practice – From Professional Role to Public Value 

What are the most important issues for practising democratic architecture – as individual practitioners, as a profession and as a force in society? In this panel discussion, Architects Sweden President Emina Kovacic brings together voices from academia, civil society and professional practice. Taking Architects Sweden as a democratic organisation as its starting point, the panel explores how the architect’s professional role is changing, how we can create more inclusive processes in everyday practice and what responsibility the profession has to ensure that the design of our shared spaces reflects society as a whole.

Moderator: 
Emina Kovacic (President, Architects Sweden)
Panel:
Rodrigo del Canto (Architects Sweden Students)
Dan Hallemar (Architecture writer/Arkitektur förlag)
Ana Gilmet (Doctoral student, LTH/ACAN)
More participants to be announced

11.00–11.10
ARCHITECTS SWEDEN STUDENTS: Open Call Launch 

How can we create opportunities for the next generation of architects to directly influence and shape Malmö’s quays and waterfronts? Together with the City of Malmö and the Arwidsson Foundation, Architects Sweden Students is launching a brand-new open call in Malmö. Rodrigo del Canto presents the initiative and explains how the competition will give students and young professionals the opportunity to explore new ideas, challenge conventions and contribute innovative solutions for the city’s public spaces.

Participant: 
Rodrigo del Canto (President, Architects Sweden Students)

11.10–11.40
KEYNOTE I & II | Shaping the Common: Landscape Architecture as Democratic Action

Landscape architects Åsa von Malortie and Sam Keshavarz share personal reflections from their respective practices and specific projects. Together, they explore the power of public space and landscape in a society where inequalities are growing and trust is being tested. The presentations conclude with a joint conversation on how designed living environments can act as unifying, healing and transformative forces.

Participants:
Åsa von Malortie (Sydväst arkitekter)
Sam Keshavarz (Outerspace)

11.45–12.00
TRIBUTE/IN MEMORIAM: Åke Axelsson 

A moment of remembrance and tribute to the legendary interior architect and furniture designer Åke Axelsson. Together with Sune Nordgren, friend and former client, we look back on Åke Axelsson’s remarkable life’s work, craftsmanship and immense importance for Swedish design, interior architecture and sustainable thinking. 

Participant: 
Sune Nordgren (Former Director of Malmö Konsthall)

12.00–13.00
LUNCH

Lunch can be pre-ordered at cost price and includes a wrap with vegan filling and a 50 cl bottle of sparkling water.

Pre-order lunch

13.00–13.30
KEYNOTE III | Grounded Proximities: Occupying, Sharing, and Building Together

Presented with the support of Institut Francais de Suede.

How can temporary architecture and micro-communities transform unused spaces into genuinely vibrant meeting places? Nicolas Détrie, founder of the French collective Yes We Camp, demonstrates how temporary urban projects can challenge conventional urban planning. Drawing on projects in Marseille and across France, Yes We Camp combines architecture, collective living and social inclusion. Détrie shows how physical presence and temporary use can create new democratic models and breathe new life into the city – in the here and now.

Participant:
Nicolas Détrie (Founder and Executive Director, Yes We Camp)

13:30–14.00
KEYNOTE IV | Creating Conditions for Place and Play 

How can architecture create the conditions for play, community and a sense of place? Emily Wickham from the award-winning London-based collective Assemble offers an insight into their work through projects centred on play – from organisations and policy work to film, exhibitions and both permanent and temporary infrastructure. Drawing on Assemble’s interdisciplinary practice, Wickham demonstrates how different methods and formats can be used to create places together with the people who will live and work in them. Through co-creation, craft and local engagement, Assemble explores how architecture can establish the conditions needed for play and a stronger sense of place.

Participant: 
Emily Wickham (Architect and Partner, Assemble)

14.00–14.20
TALK: Assembling Common Ground: Collective Action in Public Space 

A joint conversation bringing Nicolas Détrie (Yes We Camp) and Emily Wickham (Assemble) together to reflect on spatial practice, temporary use and citizen-led processes. Moderated by Angelica Åkerman, they explore common ground, practical challenges and how local initiatives can reshape democratic participation in the city.

Moderator:
Angelica Åkerman (Form/Design Center)
Participants:
Nicolas Détrie (Yes We Camp)
Emily Wickham (Assemble)

14.20–14.40
REFLECTION: Sharing Housing – Homes for More 

How can we share residential spaces to create more accessible, inclusive and sustainable homes for more people? In this reflection, Christer Larsson summarises insights from the research project on shared housing (supported by Formas and Vinnova). The presentation highlights how new housing concepts and the sharing economy in urban development can challenge traditional housing norms, reduce inequalities and create stronger communities in our neighborhoods.

Participants: 
Christer Larsson (Hela staden)

14.40–15.00
COFFEE BREAK

15.00–15.15
URBAN ACADEMY: Honourable Mention 

How can we highlight important initiatives that promote greater diversity in urban development? Urban Academy takes the stage to recognise outstanding contributions within the designed living environment and architecture. During this session, representatives from Urban Academy present an honourable mention/award, followed by a short conversation with the recipient about their project, motivations and visions for Malmö’s future.

Participants: 
Patrik Lundberg (Skanska)
Sabina Jallow (Malmö University, Urban Academy Board) 
This year’s award recipient

15.15–15.45
KEYNOTE | Cultures of Assembly: Spatial Practice & Democratic Action 

How is public space redefined when urban planning meets participatory democracy and critical spatial practice? Markus Miessen, architect, author and professor at the University of Luxembourg, presents the work of the research platform Cultures of Assembly. Drawing on political theory, spatial conditions of crisis and his long-standing critique of diluted forms of public participation, Miessen explores how we can create physical platforms for conflict, genuine dialogue and collective decision-making. The keynote challenges established planning processes in favour of a more proactive, independent and democratic architectural practice.

Participant: 
Markus Miessen (Architect, author and professor at the University of Luxembourg)

15.45–16.40
TALK | Optimism and Architecture – Aga Khan Award for Architecture 

How can architecture inspire hope, build community and respond to global challenges in a time of change? Taking the prestigious Aga Khan Award for Architecture as its starting point, this conversation explores architecture as a transformative and optimistic force. Farrokh Derakhshani and Azra Akšamija share insights from projects around the world that successfully address social needs, cultural identity and local context. Together with Malmö City Architect Finn Williams and moderator Toma Berlanda, the panel discusses how design can create sustainable, inclusive and hopeful living environments for the future.

Moderator: 
Toma Berlanda (Architect, urbanist and professor)
Participants:
Farrokh Derakhshani (Director of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture)
Azra Akšamija (Artist, architectural historian and Associate Professor at MIT)
Finn Williams (City Architect, City of Malmö)

16.40–17.00
COFFEE BREAK 

Saferoad Citylife is serving smoothies.

17.00–17.35
KEYNOTE III: CO-HATY & METALAB

How can architecture and humanitarian urban development provide both immediate and long-term support for people in crisis? In this keynote, sisters, architects and co-founders Tania Pashynska and Anna Pashynska present the work of the Ukrainian urban development laboratory METALAB and the housing initiative CO-HATY. They share how they transform abandoned and underused buildings into dignified, safe and sustainable homes for internally displaced people in Ukraine. By combining reuse, local resources, circular thinking and strong community collaboration, CO-HATY and METALAB demonstrate how architecture can serve as direct action for human rights, immediate security and a future built collectively.

Participants: 
Tania Pashynska and Anna Pashynska (Architects, co-founders of CO-HATY and the urban development laboratory METALAB)

17.40–17.50
SKÅNE ARCHITECTURE PRIZE 2026 

Which projects and environments in Skåne are setting the standard for architectural quality, sustainability and innovation? Region Skåne and Architects Sweden Skåne present the prestigious Skåne Architecture Prize 2026. Led by Anna Petterson, the session recognises and celebrates outstanding examples of high-quality designed living environments in the region. The focus is on highlighting how this year’s awarded project contributes to regional identity, architectural excellence and sustainable urban development.

Participants: 
Anna Neuhauser (Board member and member of the award jury, Architects Sweden Skåne)
Anna Petterson (Regional Development Director, Region Skåne) 

17.55–18.20
KEYNOTE IV: Lecture by the Award Winner 

What does it take to create an award-winning architectural project that makes a genuine difference? Immediately after the award ceremony, this year’s newly announced winner of the Skåne Architecture Prize takes the stage for an exclusive keynote. The audience is given an in-depth insight into how the winning project came about, its key design ideas, the challenges encountered along the way and the vision that brought the project to completion.

Participant:
Winner of the Skåne Architecture Prize 

18.20–18.30
EXIT | Reflection and Closing

How do we carry the day’s insights, perspectives and discussions forward? In this closing session, Angelica Åkerman brings Architecture Day 2026 to a close. Together with observers from the day’s different stages – representing the Book Stage, Floor 2 and the student perspective – we reflect on the most important themes of the day. What do we take with us, and how can we put ideas about proximity, democracy and the designed living environment into practice?

Moderator:
Angelica Åkerman (Form/Design Center)
Observers:
Dan Hallemar (Book Stage)
Daniel Berggren / Veronica Larsson (Floor 2 Stage/Knowledge Forum)
Rodrigo del Canto (Student perspective/Architects Sweden Students)

LOCATION
Floor 2
THEME
Encounter (Friction) 
MODERATORS
Daniel Lindberg and Veronica Larsson (Form/Design Center)
HOST
Knowledge Forum for Designed Living Environment
FORMAT
Open discussion and audience dialogue in the Imperfect Assemblies exhibition.
IN COLLABORATION WITH 
Architects Sweden, COA, CAFx, Form/Design Center

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13.00–13.40
Launch & talk: Knowledge Forum for Designed Living Environment – what knowledge is needed for the transition?

The built environment sector is facing a fundamental transition, with the focus shifting from new construction to managing, reusing and developing what is already built. But what knowledge is actually needed to make this transition in practice, and why are our traditional tools no longer sufficient?

The session opens with Daniel Lindberg and Veronica Larsson, who work with the newly launched Knowledge Forum for Designed Living Environment at Form/Design Center. They present the initiative before welcoming the panel to a conversation about a broader understanding of knowledge – one that challenges established patterns, gives language to what is difficult to define and provides tools for navigating complex and uncertain transition processes.

(After the conversation, there will be an opportunity to stay, ask questions and continue the discussion with the team behind the Knowledge Forum, as well as explore the autumn programme).

Participants: 
Daniel Lindberg (Form/Design Center)
Veronica Larsson (Form/Design Center)
Sofia Wiberg (KTH/Södertörn)
Rasmus Waern (Architect and author)
Kris Johnson-Jones (ArkDes Think Tank)
Vesna Vasiljkovic (Regional utveckling, Region Skåne)

13.50–14.40
Architecture’s AI: From Professional Role to Design 

Data centres, energy infrastructure and automated logistics chains – the AI revolution is not only digital; it is fundamentally transforming both our professional roles and our physical living environments. The AI boom is creating new conditions for how architecture is practised as well as new demands on what the built environment must accommodate. As this expansion accelerates, what questions do we need to ask to ensure an ethical, sustainable and democratic practice?

Together with Edvin Bylander, we explore how this technological transformation and the expansion of new industrial landscapes are affecting architecture, the professional role and society at large.

Participant: 
Edvin Bylander (our office)
Henrik Almquist (Architect and lecturer at LTH, Agency for Adaptive Architecture)
Sara Jarmakowski Svanbom (Affärschef Tyrens)

(More participants to be announced)

14.40–15.00
COFFEE BREAK 

15.00–15.40
Panel discussion: A Transition That Falls Short – How Do We Address Unemployment Among Recent Graduates?

Rising unemployment among recently graduated architects, together with the lack of clear data on how junior architects establish themselves in the labour market, is becoming an increasingly important issue for the profession. This conversation brings together voices from education, employers and the profession to examine why the transition from studies to professional life is failing – and what concrete measures are needed to secure the future of the architectural profession.

Moderator: 
Rodrigo del Canto
Panel:
Jesper Magnusson (Senior Lecturer, Lund University)
Embla Schough (Sveriges Arkitekter Studenterna)
Maja Olsson (Board Member, Architects Sweden)
Joakim Lyth (Malmö Office Director, Wingårdhs)

15.50–16.30
Ethics as Practice: On Responsibility, Resources and Architecture’s Agency

When the world around us is shaken, we are confronted with the most fundamental aspects and responsibilities of architecture. At its core, the question of what we design is about our human rights: the right to a roof over our heads and to a safe, democratic space where everyone can come together. In this context, ethics is not an abstract theoretical framework but a tangible, everyday practice in our work as architects.

Taking the Imperfect Assemblies exhibition as a point of departure, three practices come together, each translating this responsibility into action in different ways. Co:haty demonstrates the urgent dimension of ethics through its work transforming abandoned buildings into safe homes for people in crisis. Love Di Marco contributes a critical and pedagogical perspective, using research and exhibition-making as tools for examining resources and methods. Meanwhile, Culture of Assembly explores how physical space itself can be shaped to enable genuinely democratic encounters.

Together, Markus Miessen, Tania Pashynska, Anna Pashynska and Love Di Marco weave together theoretical and practical experiences. Why are physical proximity and gathering locally more important than ever? Meet the exhibitors and their guests in an open exchange on how architecture’s fundamental purpose can help create places for human dignity, community and shared responsibility.

Participants:
Markus Miessen (Architect, author, professor, Culture of Assembly)
Tania Pashynska (Architect, founder of Co:haty)
Anna Pashynska (Architect, founder of Meta:LAB)
Love Di Marco (Architect and lecturer at KTH)

16.30–17.00
REFLECTION AND CLOSING

Daniel Lindberg and Veronica Larsson close and summarise the Exhibition Stage. After the talk, you are welcome to stay, ask questions and continue the conversation with the team behind Kunskapsforum, as well as explore the autumn program.

Participant: 
Daniel Lindberg (Form/Design Center)
Veronica Larsson (Form/Design Center)

LOCATION
Floor 1
THEME
Close Readings 
MODERATOR
Dan Hallemar (Landscape architect, writer and podcaster, HallemarHejdelind)
IN COLLABORATION WITH 
Architects Sweden, Konst-ig, Form/Design Center

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11.00–11.10
THE BOOK STAGE OPENS 

Dan Hallemar opens the Book Stage with an introduction.

11.10–11.30
BOOK TALK: Kampen om stadsrummet. Äldre butiker som urbana och sociala gemenskaper.

An in-depth conversation with Sofia Wiberg based on the book Kampen om stadsrummet.  The conversation explores who the city is actually planned for and how everyday places hold marginalised forms of knowledge that are often lost in today’s rationalised urban development. Drawing on her research into practices of listening and situated judgement, Wiberg highlights how we can open up urban planning to new ways of experiencing, thinking and creating community.

11.40–12.00
BOOK TALK: Meningen med hus 

Why do we have architecture in the first place, and what makes us become attached to certain buildings? Beyond providing shelter from the weather, the buildings around us can offer companionship, comfort and a sense of security. In the book Meningen med hus – varför vi bryr oss om husen , architect and critic Rasmus Wærn explores what we really seek in the built environment and how we can create more places that resonate with us and endure over time.

12.00–13.00
LUNCH

13.10–13.40
BOOK TALK: Att Alstra – En antologi

A conversation based on the new anthology Att Alstra, published by Alstra Byggforum (formerly Kvinnors Byggforum). Through 25 contributions, the book weaves together themes of responsibility, sustainability, care and creative resistance to challenge traditional power structures within architecture and urban development. The conversation explores how feminist, norm-creative and power-critical perspectives – at the intersection of practice and critique – can open up alternative ways of thinking about design, space and community.

Participant: 
Katarina Frisö (Alstra Byggforum)

13.50–14.20
BOOK TALK: Crossbenching – Toward Participation as Critical Spatial Practice 

An in-depth conversation about the book Crossbenching, in which Markus Miessen challenges today’s consensus-driven forms of public participation in architecture and urban development. Instead of diluted forms of collaboration, he introduces the concept of crossbenching – a critical, uninvited and independent role in urban development that dares to challenge power structures and intervene in conflict-ridden processes. The conversation explores how participation can move from passive approval to a genuinely political and transformative act in shaping our shared living environments.

14.20–15.00
BREAK 

15.10–15.40
BOOK TALK: Aga Khan Award for Architecture – A Book Series on Pluralism, Community and Sustainability 

An international book talk about the acclaimed series published by ArchiTangle and connected to the Aga Khan Award for Architecture – one of the world’s most prestigious architecture awards. Together with Farrokh Derakhshani (Director of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture), the conversation takes the series’ key publications (Architecture of Commonality: Grounds for Hope, Architecture of Coexistence and Inclusive Architecture) as its starting point to explore how architecture can act as a unifying force in contexts marked by conflict and cultural diversity. How can design, cultural institutions and shared living environments bridge divides, foster pluralism and inspire hope for the future?

15.50–16.20 
BOOK TALK: Kvinnliga trädgårdsarkitekter 

An in-depth conversation about the pioneering women who helped shape Swedish garden and landscape architecture but have often been overlooked in conventional histories. Drawing on the book Kvinnliga trädgårdsarkitekter, Catharina Nolin explores their professional work, spatial ideas and the lasting impact they have had on our green cultural heritage and shared outdoor environments.

16.20–16.30
SUMMARY AND REFLECTION

Dan Hallemar brings the day at the Book Stage to a close with a brief summary and reflection on the day’s book talks, perspectives and encounters with authors.

LOCATION
Courtyard (+ Floor 1) 
HOST
Architects Sweden Skåne

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18.30–22.00
ABAR 

Architects Sweden Skåne invites you to drinks and food in the courtyard at Hedmanska gården.