Smiljan Radić, PPAA, and others install urban interventions at Concéntrico festival

Logroño, Spain—The annual Concéntrico festival transformed the city into an open-air exhibition space from June 18 to 23, showcasing immersive installations by architects and designers addressing themes of urbanism, identity, and ecology. This year’s event featured a diverse international lineup, including Pritzker Prize–winning architect Smiljan Radić, Palestinian firm AAU Anastas, and Mexican practice PPAA.

The festival, organized by the Fundación Cultural de los Arquitectos de La Rioja and its founder Javier Peña Ibáñez, in collaboration with the Logroño City Council and the Government of La Rioja, invited participants to reconsider the design and function of urban environments. Installations took the form of pavilions, tents, sheds, and gardens, strategically placed in alleyways, plazas, and beside historic buildings.

Identity and Fiction

Smiljan Radić’s contribution, falling under the “Identity and Fiction” theme, drew inspiration from Chilean traveling circuses and the work of artist Eugenio Dittborn. Radić’s installation features a red and white circus tent, constructed from plastic fabrics, situated within the ruins of a masonry building adjacent to the Plaza del Ayuntamiento. This piece explores the intersection of storytelling and urban space, embedding a nomadic element within a fixed architectural ruin.

PPAA, a Mexican firm, responded to the context of a building by Rafael Moneo in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento with its intervention. Inspired by the building’s porticos, PPAA lined the open plaza with a series of thin pillars. Titled “El Plano Latente,” this installation became a focal point for interaction, activated on June 21 by 200 citizens and 12 dancers in a performance that blurred the lines between art, urban planning, and public participation.

Urban Ecologies

Embracing the “Urban Ecologies” theme, the “Library Garden” installation offered a vision for urban green spaces. Adjacent to a small pink shed, garden beds planted with drought-resistant vegetation and picnic tables were provided for community gathering. The shed itself was stocked with pots and seeds, encouraging visitors to engage with urban gardening and take elements home to cultivate their own spaces.

Transtation, situated against the industrial backdrop of Logroño’s railway station, engaged with themes of transportation and energy use. The pavilion proposed a system for generating bio-gas, which was then stored in the roof structure to be converted into electricity, highlighting the potential for sustainable energy solutions within urban infrastructure.

Ephemeral Agents

Under the “Ephemeral Agents” theme, which focused on projects designed to initiate change in the public realm, AAU Anastas presented “Catedral para Uno.” This installation, constructed from discarded stone slabs sourced from a factory, was designed for a single patron, offering a contemplative space that contrasts with traditional ecclesiastical structures built for collective gathering. Sound plays a crucial role, with distinct sound programs for morning and evening services.

Chicago-based Future Firm’s intervention creatively integrated the city’s river and its Iron Bridge into its design. The installation drew connections between the Ebro River and the existing infrastructure, demonstrating how architecture can engage with natural and built environmental elements within the urban fabric.

Concéntrico’s impact extends beyond the aesthetic, with many installations designed to address specific urban environmental needs, such as providing shade, creating recreational areas, or supporting community well-being. The festival’s experimental and participatory approaches underscore its commitment to fostering dialogue and action within the urban landscape.

Key facts
| Feature | Detail |
|—|—|
| Festival Name | Concéntrico |
| Location | Logroño, Spain |
| Dates | June 18–23, 2026 |
| Themes | Identity and Fiction, Urban Ecologies, Ephemeral Agents |
| Notable Participants | Smiljan Radić, PPAA, AAU Anastas, Future Firm, DF_DC |
| Organizers | Fundación Cultural de los Arquitectos de La Rioja, Logroño City Council, Government of La Rioja |

The Concéntrico festival provides a valuable platform for architects and designers to explore innovative solutions for urban challenges, offering tangible examples of how temporary interventions can positively influence public spaces and community engagement. The participation of globally recognized figures like Smiljan Radić highlights the festival’s growing significance in the international architecture calendar.

Source: The Architect’s Newspaper, https://www.archpaper.com/2026/07/installations-concentrico/

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