The International Architecture Biennale Rotterdam (IABR) needs your contribution to reimagine the way we conceive and build our world. 

The 10th International Architecture Biennale Rotterdam, titled IT’S ABOUT TIME, will reflect on the notion of time and design. Time, we claim, is an essential yet neglected parameter in designing sustainable futures. It is therefore only an antidote to the short-term interests that seem to be ruling the world. 

In 1972, the seminal book The Limits to Growth warned that exponential economic growth would lead to ecological disasters within a century unless society made fundamental changes. Our current economic system has fulfilled the worst-case projections made fifty years ago. Each one of us now needs to answer the question: How can we—personally and as a society at large—radically change the perspective on growth, development, urbanity? Historically, mainstream architecture has facilitated and stimulated economic growth while contributing to an ever-escalating human footprint, exponential carbon emissions, resource extraction, and loss of biodiversity. It’s time for the power of design to contribute to an environmentally and socially conscious future and to develop alternative visions. 

The International Architecture Biennale Rotterdam (IABR) is releasing an open call for realized projects, research projects, or conceptual propositions that can lead to new visions of development in architectural design. Contributions at all scales are welcomed. You can also submit projects that you observed are having a decisive impact, and act as a supporter. We will give visibility to all practices that are impactful through their interventions in the present. Concurrently, we will highlight proposals that give a better understanding of the neglected lessons from the past and projects that will inspire us with visions for the future. 

The IABR 2022 has identified three fundamental, complementary yet interwoven attitudes to pressure transition. Three crucial roles time could play in the broader processes of social change by engaging architects, landscape architects, designers, urban thinkers, as well as public authorities, private stakeholders, community-lead projects, and initiatives coming from civil society at large. The ACCELERATOR explores which role time pressure and/or technologies can play in enhancing the processes using smart systems, scalable solutions, and digital tools to define fundamental changes toward sustainable futures. The ACTIVIST takes immediate action, is rooted in the here and now, and uses intuition and collaboration to enhance dialogue with local communities while stimulating empowerment strategies. The ANCESTOR researches through time and combines disciplinary lenses to create long-term models of development. The Ancestor reveals visions that inspire change, taking into account historically developed injustice and the well-being of future generations.  

These three approaches can inspire us to engage deeply in processes of social transformation of our environment. Only by understanding our responsibility as design professionals and individuals can we make the necessary transformations to reestablish a balance between our presence on the planet and the other natural forces that sustain our lives. IT’S ABOUT TIME to engage in a world that is sustainable, functional, equitable, and also deeply desirable. 

Selected entries will be exhibited in the 10th International Architecture Biennale Rotterdam: IT’S ABOUT TIME, in one of three ways: 1) exhibited in the overall exhibition, 2) selected to be developed into a large-scale installation, funded by IABR, or 3) become involved in the discursive parallel program of IT’S ABOUT TIME.