Since its inception two decades ago, the Lisbon Triennale has been a catalyst for architectural discourse, providing a platform for a global audience to engage and be heard. 

Preparing for its 7th edition in Autumn 2025, it aims to spark another two-month worldwide forum with the inquiry: How Heavy is a City?

The Lisbon Architecture Triennale will take place from October 2 to December 5, 2025 under the theme of "How Heavy is a City?" in various venues in Lisbon. 

Curated by Ann-Sofi Rönnskog and John Palmesino of Territorial Agency, the team poses an open-ended question that invites architects, researchers, participants, attendees, and citizens to ponder the unprecedented scale of urban existence and its far-reaching implications. The Triennale 2025 has launched three international open calls providing straightforward channels into the heart of the discussion: Independent Projects, Début Award and Universities Competition.

The Lisbon Triennale uses architecture to inspire transformation, spark debate, and advance research. In order to explore "How Heavy is a City?", the organization aims to initiate fresh discussions, forge interdisciplinary connections, and reach important audiences. 

Trienal 2016, projecto independente Eduardo Souto Moura. Image © Tiago Casanova

How Heavy is a City? consists of three lines of work that result in three primary exhibitions and are based on multidisciplinary processes (architecture, arts, technologies, and sciences): Fluxes focuses on the points where the delicate and intricate cycles of the living Earth meet human spaces, the vast flows of material, energy, and information that support humanity. The book Spectres focuses on the imaginative technologies required to understand how human spaces affect the environment and how they mirror colonial and imperial systems of power and resource extraction. Lighter outlines a route through the experiments in novel material processes and assemblages of polities interacting with rapidly changing ecosystems. Our shared goal is to discover fresh perspectives on the relationship between the delicate dynamics of our planet and the technological present.

The Triennale is seeking Independent Projects from around the world to take part in this plural reflection by welcoming thought-provoking perspectives from the arts, sciences and architecture that enrich its programme. By bringing to the table diverse approaches, the goal is to rethink together notions of agency and citizenship in a world undergoing vast change. A staple of previous editions, the format can vary from performative to online and from ephemeral installations to DIY communal networks. Ideas brought to life in Lisbon’s public space, directly interacting with those who live and visit the city, are encouraged. Any self-funded projects can apply, and the Lisbon Triennale’s Cultural Centre will again be available to host a selected few.

The deadline is January 20, 2025, with guidelines available online.

Trienal 2022, projecto independente Questionabilis, debate 26 Novembro MNAC, courtesy of DFOX

Applications are also open for two of the Triennale's awards. Emerging practitioners can apply for the Lisbon Triennale Millennium bcp Début Award, which has promoted new talent for over a decade. For the first time, the age limit has been raised: individuals, offices and collectives with a median age of up to 40 are all welcome. A shortlist of five will take centre stage to give a public lecture during the 7th Triennale, meeting curators, jurors, participants and peers. With no entry fee, applicants only need to submit up to three defining projects of their professional path, whether built or unbuilt, in downtown Lagos or up above the sky.

The call is open until February 24, 2025 – guidelines online.

Trienal 2013 Projecto independente BretheTheAirWeShare, ISCTE. Image © DR

Universities are essential allies in tackling heads-on how to make cities lighter. The Lisbon Triennale Millennium bcp Universities Competition invites schools and academic research centres worldwide to help to map and grasp the knowledge needed to shape the human spaces of the twenty-first century. The competition includes two categories: Masters programmes and Research. Entries selected by an independent jury will work with the curators and be featured in the Triennale 2025 main exhibitions. The submission deadline is February 3, 2025. Guidelines here.

"Think of cities as black holes punching the Earth with all the mass and energy they consume," said Mark Williams, palaeontologist and member of the Triennale 2025 Advisory Board.

Top image in the article: Trienal 2016, projecto independente LABOR. Image © Richard John Seymour.

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