With the theme “In Between – Architecture and the City in the New World Order,” the International Antalya Architecture Biennale (IABA) will take place from November 3–9, 2025, at the Historic Battery Factory.
A Global Dialogue on Architecture in the New World Order
This November, Antalya is set to become the epicenter of global discussions on architecture, art, and urban life. Organized biennially by the Antalya Branch of the Chamber of Architects, the International Antalya Architecture Biennale will this year explore the theme “In Between.” The event questions how contemporary architecture interprets uncertainty — between physical and digital lifestyles, and between local and global identities — in a post-pandemic world.
The Concept of Transformation: “In Between”
The idea of being “in between” serves not only as an architectural notion but also as a metaphor for social, cultural, and technological transformation. Curated by Lale Özgenel and Hazal Türkyılmaz Bilgiç, the biennale addresses key global issues such as artificial intelligence, environmental crises, migration, and social justice — all through the lens of architecture.
In doing so, it aims to create an interdisciplinary meeting ground for architects, urban planners, academics, and tourism professionals alike.
A Contemporary Stage in a Historic Venue
The event will be held at the Historic Battery Factory in Antalya, a repurposed industrial heritage site that perfectly embodies the biennale’s spirit — merging the past and the future under one roof.
Featuring exhibitions, panels, workshops, and film screenings, the dynamic program is poised to transform Antalya into one of the Mediterranean’s most creative cities this November.
Sectoral Perspective: Antalya’s Emerging Role in the Global Architecture Economy
This year’s biennale goes beyond the aesthetic dimensions of architecture to highlight the economic value chain of spatial production. Today, design, tourism, and sustainable urban planning are inseparable — and the future of the city is being redefined at their intersection.
Architects, academics, and investors gathering in Antalya this November will view space not merely as a commodity but as a medium for livability and cultural memory. In this sense, the biennale sheds light on a rising concept across the Mediterranean: the “cultural infrastructure economy.”
Architecture today is no longer just about constructing buildings; it is also about creating a language of diplomacy between urban identity, tourism strategy, and sustainable living policies.IABA 4.5 captures the pulse of this transformation in the Mediterranean, positioning Antalya as an emerging intellectual hub on the global architectural map.
