The Estonian Centre for Architecture is pleased to announce the launch of the international curatorial competition for the 8th edition of the Tallinn Architecture Biennale (TAB), set to take place in September 2026. 

The Estonian Centre for Architecture invites visionary architects, curators, designers, and thinkers from Estonia and abroad to submit their concept proposals for TAB 2026. 

The selected curatorial team will lead the development of the biennale’s core programme – comprising an exhibition, catalogue, symposium, and more – framing architecture within urgent contemporary contexts and the Estonian cultural landscape.

Submit your proposal by 8 September 2025.

Aims and Ethos of TAB

TAB aspires to:

- Cultivate a sensitive, forward-thinking, and high-quality architectural discourse;

- Provide an international platform for the articulation and distribution of Estonia’s architectural thought and practice;

- Encourage new angles of perception, offering fresh visions and critical insights into the field of architecture.

1. Structure of TAB 2026

The Tallinn Architecture Biennale 2026 will take place between September and November 2026, comprising two key components:

Core Programme
Conceptualised and realised by the appointed curatorial team by September 2026, the core programme includes:

Curatorial Exhibition
TAB Catalogue
TAB Symposium
Tallinn Vision Competition

Supplementary Programme

Subject to funding and further agreement, this may include:

Outdoor Installation Competition — featuring a temporary installation, potentially located in front of the Estonian Museum of Architecture.

One-week Visiting Lecture-Workshop — Hosted by the curatorial team at the Estonian Academy of Arts, this event will be directly linked to the curatorial concept and thematic framework of TAB 2026.

Composition of the Jury

The evaluation of the submissions will be undertaken by a jury of distinguished professionals representing Estonia’s architectural and cultural institutions, as well as recent curatorial experience within TAB:

Sille Pihlak – Architect at PART Architects; Dean of the Faculty of Architecture, Estonian Academy of Arts

Aet Ader – Architect at B210; President of the Estonian Association of Architects

Kristiina Reidolv – Head of the Estonian Centre for Architecture 

Jaan Kuusemets – Architect at DAGOpen OÜ; Associate Professor at TalTech University; member of the TAB 2024 curatorial team

Roland Reemaa – Architect at LLRRLLRR; Visiting Lecturer at Estonian Academy of Arts and Central Saint Martins (London, UK)

Moderator/Advisors:

Maria Helena Luiga – Architect, Producer at the Estonian Centre for Architecture

Mariann Drell – Interior Architect, Strategist at the Estonian Centre for Architecture

Schedule

The curatorial competition for TAB 2026 will follow the timeline below:

10 July 2025 – Official announcement of the competition 

8 September 2025 – Deadline for submitting Stage I entries (by 23:59 Tallinn time, GMT+2)

17 September 2025 – Announcement of Stage I results and shortlisted teams

26 September 2025 – Deadline for Stage II: presentations and jury interviews with selected teams 

13 October 2025 – Public announcement of results and winning curatorial team

9–13 September 2026 – Opening Week of TAB 2026

All deadlines are based on Tallinn local time (GMT+2).

For participation rules, eligibility restrictions, and other details, download the the brief from here: tab-2026_-rules-of-the-curatorial-competition_eng_kujundatud-1.pdf.

The top image in the article courtesy of TAB.

> via TAB