The international platform rethinking the role of architecture and design returns to Slovenia this May to address one of the defining dilemmas of an age shaped by overproduction.
On May 21–22, 2026, Portorož will once again host the BIG SEE Festival, which has grown into one of the leading architecture and design events in Southeast Europe. Formed through the merger of the previously separate BIG Architecture and BIG Design, the festival now operates with an expanded focus: it examines architecture and design as tools that help navigate a world defined by complexity, responsibility, and constant change. The central question of this year’s edition may sound simple, yet it is difficult to answer: Too much? What is just enough?—how much is enough in an era where there seems to be an excess of everything.
The dilemma of abundance
More buildings, more objects, more visual stimuli, and an endless stream of opinions—architecture and design today operate within unprecedented freedom. The question is no longer what can be created, but what should be. The BIG SEE Festival approaches this dilemma as a conceptual framework that permeates every aspect of the event. According to the organizers, the role of architecture and design has always been to provide structure, orientation, and dignity. In an environment where everything is possible, choosing restraint becomes a professional and ethical decision.
Dialogue instead of presentation
One of the key elements of the festival is its conference, which deliberately moves away from trend-driven formats. The programme is structured around five perspectives—including the relevance of architecture, the human dimension of urban life, and the idea of radical reduction—and raises questions that cut to the core of the profession. Among the invited speakers are representatives of the Norman Foster Foundation, the Renzo Piano Building Workshop, and practices connected to MVRDV, alongside emerging studios. The aim is to create tension and genuine discourse, allowing participants to leave with sharper questions and a more conscious perspective.
Recognising work that focuses on substance
Since its launch in 2018, the BIG SEE Awards have evolved into an international platform acknowledging achievements in architecture and product design. The awards highlight projects that prioritise content, context, and clarity of intention over spectacle. The third pillar of the festival is the trade show, which consciously departs from the logic of large-scale commercial fairs. Selected exhibitors present materials, technologies, and products that can be applied in real architectural processes, from concept to execution.
Collective thinking on a global scale
As part of the 2026 theme, BIG SEE is launching an international survey exploring what “just enough” means today in architecture and design. The responses will not only feed into the festival programme but also contribute to a broader, collective reflection. Bringing together more than 3,000 visitors, 100 exhibitors, and over 800 programme elements, the event aims to do more than present the current state of the field—it seeks to offer direction. In a context where possibilities are endless, the real question is what we choose from them—and why.
For programmes and more information check the official site.
