The Festival of Living Architecture (Festival des Architectures Vives) in Montpellier, France, is preparing to celebrate its 20th anniversary edition with a groundbreaking new format centered around the theme of knowledge transmission. The milestone event is scheduled to take place from June 9-14, 2026, and will mark two decades of architectural discoveries, creative encounters, and shared innovation within Montpellier's historic private mansions.
To commemorate this anniversary edition, festival organizers have completely reimagined their traditional approach by eliminating the usual open call for applications. Instead, they have chosen to invite iconic teams that have previously participated in the festival to return in a special new role as mentors. This innovative mentorship model perfectly aligns with the 2026 edition's central theme of transmission and knowledge sharing.
According to the organizers, this thematic choice "resonates as a tribute to continuity, highlighting what has always been the festival's strength: creating exchanges, encouraging sharing, transmitting knowledge and experiences, and revealing new architectural voices." The mentorship concept will pair experienced architects and teams with emerging talents, creating a unique collaborative dynamic that celebrates both heritage and innovation.
The festival will feature mentor-protégé partnerships, with specific pairings to be announced in the coming months. Each mentor-protégé team will work together to define their own unique theme that reflects their connection and shared inspiration. These collaborative teams will then create architectural installations to be displayed throughout the historic private mansions in downtown Montpellier, continuing the festival's tradition of transforming these heritage spaces into contemporary architectural showcases.
Reflecting on the significance of this anniversary edition, the organizers emphasized that "by celebrating transmission for its 20th edition, FAV 2026 pays tribute to this invisible but essential thread that runs through generations of architects, craftsmen, builders, and thinkers. A thread made of trust, listening, and transformation. A collective adventure, turned toward tomorrow." This approach represents not just a celebration of the festival's past achievements but also a commitment to nurturing the future of architectural innovation and creativity.
