Why BIG SEE In?

Good work does not travel by itself. Talent is everywhere, but access to it varies greatly, especially early in a career, when the work is already strong but the audience for it is still catching up. BIG SEE In exists to shorten that distance, and to help sustain BIG SEE Perspectives, the project through which BIG SEE discovers and brings visibility to promising architecture and design practices across the region.

The events bring these emerging talents together with BIG SEE Award winners, established professionals and the wider professional community, creating a local setting for direct exchange, new connections and future opportunities.

BIG SEE works locally, regionally and globally. BIG SEE In adds a direct local layer to that network, while the BIG SEE Festival in Portorož brings these connections together on a global scale.

What happens at BIG SEE In?

Each event combines work in progress with projects that have already been recognised.

At BIG SEE Talks: Finished / Unfinished, selected emerging and established architecture practices present their work through two perspectives: one realised project and one project still in development. The format ties into the wider BIG SEE theme UNFINISHED and its question, What is still worth creating? It looks at what practices have already built, what they are working on now, and where they are heading next.

The talks are followed by an exhibition of architecture and design projects from the host country that have received BIG SEE Awards in previous years.

Together, the talks and the exhibition bring realised work, unfinished work, award-winning projects and the people behind them into the same evening.

First stop: Tirana

The first in the series of events is BIG SEE In Tirana on 22 October 2026.

BIG SEE In Tirana brings together Albanian architects and studios with distinct approaches to practice, yet several concerns run through their work: the relationship between contemporary architecture and local identity, the role of public and shared space, the reuse of existing structures, and the responsibility that comes with introducing something new into an existing place. Across different scales and contexts, the evening offers a view into how these practices think about architecture not as an isolated object, but as something that enters into a wider set of relationships.

The participating architects are also featured through their selected realised projects in Focus Albania, the editorial series dedicated to contemporary architecture in Albania.

The line-up includes Jurtin Hajro / Commonsense Studio, Julia Hallvaxhiu and Aleks Shtjefni / Tharm Architects, Albana Koçollari / ANK Architecture, Lorenxa Molla / LOFT Architects, Ardit Qereshniku / A7 Design Studio, Genti Shtembari / ARTECH Studio, Alfons Shtjefni / ArkPro Studio, Irida Shupo / iRI Architecture and Gentjan Zifle / Zifle Architects.

Next: Bucharest

The second event is BIG SEE In Bucharest on 12 November 2026, turning the focus to Romania and its architecture and design scene. More about the participating practices, selected projects and programme will follow soon.

BIG SEE In begins locally, with the work, people and conversations already taking shape in each place, and connects them to a wider professional community.