This year marks a turning point where sustainability is no longer a niche interest but the central paradigm in architecture and design across Europe. Whether retrofitting historic structures, greening urban rooftops, integrating AI with living systems, or weaving tradition with innovation, Europe’s professional community is crystallizing a future-built environment that’s ecological, equitable, and intelligent.
Sustainability in design is evolving from a buzzword to a design imperative in 2025. Across the UK and Europe, architects, designers, policymakers, and researchers are convening to explore the intersection of environment, aesthetics, and function. Here’s a complete guide to key events in sustainable architecture and interior design happening in 2025, including conferences, exhibitions, biennales, and award shows — each with a link to explore or register.
Major Conferences & Forums
AECB Annual Conference 2025 – Norwich, UK (12 Sept 2025)
Hosted by the Association for Environment Conscious Building, this annual gathering focuses on low-carbon buildings, Passivhaus standards, and community-driven climate action. Set at the sustainable UEA Enterprise Centre, the conference offers panels, site visits, and a celebration of retrofit excellence.
Architects + Engineers for Resilient Design – Luxembourg (15 May 2025)
This RIBA-aligned event explores the synergy between architectural design and engineering to create inclusive, adaptive, and sustainable buildings. Organized in alignment with the New European Bauhaus initiative.
SPACE International Conference on Sustainable Architecture – London, UK (5–6 June 2025)
Academic and professional thinkers gather to discuss urban regeneration, climate-resilient infrastructure, social housing innovation, and bioclimatic planning.
Sustainable Places 2025 – Milan, Italy (8–10 October 2025)
A flagship Horizon Europe research event on decarbonising the built environment. SP2025 will feature over 50 workshops and EU research project showcases on digital twin cities, circular retrofit models, and smart infrastructure.
Sustainable City 2025 – Southampton, UK (TBD 2025)
This conference covers urban ecology, low-carbon transport, environmental economics, and the human dimensions of urban sustainability, hosted by Wessex Institute.
Sector-Focused Conferences
Healthy Buildings Conference & Expo 2025 – London (26 Feb 2025)
Run by the Alliance for Sustainable Building Products (ASBP), this event covers low-toxicity materials, biophilic design, mass timber construction, and occupant health in housing and commercial design.
Europe-Wide Sustainability Events
WindEurope Annual Event – Copenhagen (8–10 April 2025)
Though energy-focused, this event explores urban integration of renewables, off-grid architecture, and wind’s role in urban planning.
Global Climate & SDG Synergies – Copenhagen (27–28 May 2025)
Co-hosted by UNDESA, this high-level event involves urban planning, architecture, and global policy for climate-responsive design.
PLATE 2025 – Aalborg, Denmark (2–4 July 2025)
The Product Lifetimes and Environment conference is a hub for circular design in interiors, sustainable furniture materials, and lifecycle planning.
World Conference on Climate & Global Warming – Copenhagen (21–23 Nov 2025)
Thematic panels on urban heat mitigation, flood-resilient architecture, and green building standards.
Architecture Festivals & Biennales
Venice Architecture Biennale 2025 – Venice, Italy (10 May–23 Nov 2025)
Curated by Carlo Ratti, the 2025 Biennale’s theme “Intelligens: Natural. Artificial. Collective.” explores AI in architecture, circular construction, and the fusion of craft with climate science.
London Design Biennale – London, UK (5–22 June 2025)
Themed “Surface Reflections,” this Somerset House event includes pavilions addressing sustainable textures, indigenous materials, and artisan-led construction.
London Festival of Architecture – London, UK (1–30 June 2025)
The month-long public festival explores urban equity, biodiversity in building design, and socially sustainable architecture.
Milan Design Week / Salone del Mobile – Milan, Italy (15–20 April 2025 approx.)
Highlights include carbon-negative installations, biomaterials, and upcycled design from leading brands and boutique studios.
imm Cologne – Germany (January 2025)
Major showcase of sustainable furniture, eco-lighting solutions, and natural material palettes for interiors.
3 Days of Design – Copenhagen, Denmark (18–20 June 2025)
Denmark’s largest design event includes launches of modular, recycled homewares, circular product design, and Nordic sustainability innovations.
Dutch Design Week – Eindhoven, Netherlands (18–26 Oct 2025)
A platform for experimental design with exhibits on biobased buildings, post-industrial reuse, and speculative green futures.
Interior-Focused Design Events
Wow!House 2025 – Design Centre Chelsea Harbour, London (Until 3 July 2025)
A full-scale showhouse featuring 22 rooms designed by leading interiors studios. Themes include circular interiors, eco-materials, and wellness-focused rooms.
RHS Hampton Court Garden Festival – London (1–6 July 2025)
Designs such as Subaru’s Cocoon Garden showcase sustainable garden design, reused K‑Briqs, and native biodiversity.
Urban Greening, Roofs & Façades
World Congress on Green Roofs & Façades – Basel & Zurich (2–7 June 2025)
This event gathers planners and architects to explore nature-inclusive architecture, rooftop agriculture, and green zoning policies.
Green Building Week Switzerland – Parallel to World Congress
Includes public building tours, green roof regulations, and eco-district development across Basel and Zurich.
Awards for Sustainability & Innovation
AJ Retrofit & Reuse Awards 2025 – London (10 Sept 2025)
Architects Journal’s awards honour best-in-class retrofit and reuse projects in residential, cultural, and commercial design.
OxPropFest Awards 2025 – Oxfordshire, UK (11 Sept 2025)
Features a sustainability category for regional innovation in carbon-neutral developments, net-zero masterplans, and green offices.
Other Notable Events
Concéntrico 11 – Logroño, Spain (19–24 June 2025)
An urban intervention festival that transforms public space through installations, temporary architecture, and citizen engagement.
ICSA 2025 – Antwerp, Belgium (8–11 July 2025)
The International Conference on Structures and Architecture highlights resilient load-bearing systems, carbon-conscious structural design, and adaptable façades.
Helsinki Design Week – Helsinki, Finland (6–15 Sept 2025)
A cross-disciplinary celebration of emotional sustainability, slow design, and citizen-led green infrastructure.
Emerging Themes in 2025
- Circularity First: From retrofit awards to recycled installations at Dutch Design Week, circularity is front and center.
- Biophilic Urbanism: Events in Basel, Zurich, and Hampton Court focus on biodiversity, living façades, and green zones.
- Tech‑Sustainability Hybrid: The Biennale and SP25 highlight AI, digital twins, and sensor-driven sustainable cities.
- Community and Inclusion: Festivals like LFA and Concéntrico emphasize local voices and community-first design.
- Material Innovation: From cork façades to seaweed insulation, biomaterials are reshaping interiors and architecture.
