RIAI Conference 2026

The RIAI Conference is Ireland's largest built environment event, with more than 2,000 attendees attending in 2025 over two days (hybrid format). RIAI Members and their built-environment colleagues consider it an important annual networking and information-exchange event.

For the 2026 Conference, RIAI President Fionnuala May FRIAI has chosen a theme centred on architecture’s value to our society, economy, and culture – Architecture for the Common Good. Speakers and sessions will explore how and where architects impact and influence – from policy development, governance and leadership to the delivery of our national infrastructure for housing, public buildings and spaces, and sustainable transport.

We are delighted to announce that the RIAI Conference 2026 has been recognised as an Associated Event of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Associated Presidency Events are events organised independently of the Presidency which align with the themes and priorities of Ireland’s EU Presidency and facilitate discussion of important issues policy at EU level. These events support wider participation in the Presidency, encourage policy discussion and engagement, and contribute to the broader programme of activity taking place throughout the Presidency term. The support from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is kindly acknowledged. For more information, see here.

The Premier Conference Sponsor is once again Clay&Co., who has supported the RIAI Conference since 2016.

Over 30 Conference Speakers
The RIAI Conference will bring together a distinguished line-up of national and international practitioners and thought leaders over two exciting days to share ideas, solutions and exemplars. For Speakers, see here.

The RIAI ‘Rising Stars’ session on 8 October will feature the Winners of the RIAI Emerging and RIAI Student Awards, who will present their innovative projects. We are also delighted to welcome, once more, a student exhibition, ‘InTension’, from Ireland’s six schools of Architecture, curated by Ambacht, at the Architecture + Building Expo.

Registration
Two-day Member ticket: €320 (RDS or Online), and one-day Member ticket: €160 (RDS or Online).*
Two-day Non-Member ticket: €400 (RDS or Online), and one-day Non-Member ticket: €200 (RDS or Online).
A minimum of 12 Structured CPD points for attending the full two-day programme (in-person or online).

The RIAI Hub - networking with colleagues
The RIAI Conference, which takes place alongside the Architecture + Building Expo, is an invaluable opportunity to network with colleagues. A popular feature is also the RIAI Hub with the RIAI Pop-Up Bookshop. This year, we are also joined in the RIAI Hub by the Irish Architects Benevolent Society and the RIAI Taskforce for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.

Cement Manufacturers Ireland is supporting student engagement with the RIAI Conference.