Tulum to Host First Caribbean International Architecture Biennial, Positioning the Region on the Global Design Stage

The Caribbean will host its first-ever International Architecture Biennial, a landmark event aimed at placing the region’s design, cultural heritage, and urban challenges at the center of global architectural conversation. The inaugural Caribbean International Architecture Biennial (BIARC) will take place in Tulum, Quintana Roo — a city that has rapidly gained international attention for its experimental architecture, sustainability-driven projects, and close relationship with the surrounding natural environment.

Organized under the auspices of the Pan-American Federation of Associations of Architects (FPAA), the biennial is described as the most significant gathering dedicated to highlighting the architectural identity of the Caribbean. The event will bring together work from across the region, showcasing the diversity and complexity of design practices emerging from Mexico, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Haiti, Jamaica, and numerous island nations that share common climatic, cultural, and environmental conditions.

A Platform to Showcase Contemporary Caribbean Architecture

The Biennial will feature a wide range of projects and research addressing the architectural realities of the Caribbean landscape. These include heritage restoration, coastal and insular housing, tourism-driven development, cultural infrastructure, environmental conservation, and new approaches to tropical sustainability.

One of the core goals is to illustrate how Caribbean countries are responding architecturally to shared challenges such as rising sea levels, rapid population growth, pressure from tourism-driven development, and the urgent need to protect coastal ecosystems. The event will also highlight contemporary housing models, innovative material use, and community-driven urbanism — key themes shaping architecture throughout the region.

A Landmark Venue Inside Tulum’s National Park

The primary venue for BIARC will be the Regional Museum of the Eastern Coast, located within Tulum National Park. Managed by Mexico’s Ministry of Culture, the museum will serve as the main hub for exhibitions, project presentations, photographic showcases, and academic programs.

Hosting the Biennial in this setting underscores the connection between Quintana Roo’s cultural heritage, its ancient archaeological legacy, and the evolving architectural discourse that now defines Tulum as a global reference point.

A Cross-Regional Dialogue for the Future of Caribbean Design

More than a showcase, BIARC aims to serve as a collaborative platform that brings together architects, urban planners, scholars, and students from across Latin America and the Caribbean. Discussions will focus on climate adaptation, coastal territorial management, resilient urban planning, and the intersection between local craft traditions and emerging design methodologies.

By hosting the first edition, Mexico — and specifically Quintana Roo — positions itself as a key connector between continental and island Caribbean architectural practices. The event seeks to deepen ties between nations, facilitate professional exchange, and elevate the visibility of the Caribbean’s growing architectural scene.

Toward a Caribbean Architectural Identity

A central theme of the Biennial is the recognition that, despite differences among Caribbean nations, a shared architectural identity is taking shape. This identity is defined by:

• regional materials and bioclimatic strategies
• design solutions adapted to tropical climates
• sensitive integration with the landscape
• hybrid aesthetics blending tradition and contemporary expression

The Biennial will provide a forum to explore these common threads and address pressing issues such as sustainable tourism, resilient housing, and the challenges of urbanizing in ecologically sensitive regions like Tulum.

With its growing architectural relevance, cultural depth, and natural setting, Tulum provides a fitting stage for this first-of-its-kind event. The Caribbean International Architecture Biennial is poised to become a key meeting point for the region’s design community — and a milestone in defining the future of Caribbean architecture.