🏛️ When architectural excellence gathers in Barcelona, the FAD Awards become the epicentre of peninsular design.
On 17 June 2026, the Disseny Hub Barcelona will host the ceremony of the 68th edition of these awards, the longest-running in Europe in their field and among the most prestigious in the Iberian Peninsula since 1958.
At The Sun Places, we want to take you to discover the project that has put Córdoba on the map of contemporary architecture: the Medina Azahara Museum, finalist in the Architecture category of the FAD Awards 2026.
Stay with us in our Luxury Apartments in Córdoba and discover this architectural treasure that aspires to the highest.
🎖️ The FAD Awards 2026 reach their 68th edition consolidated as the undisputed reference for architecture, interior design, landscaping and ephemeral interventions in Spain and Portugal.
This year's edition has broken participation records: a total of 616 projects have been submitted (according to the organisation), from which the professional jury has selected the finalists who will be announced in the coming weeks.
Among them, the Medina Azahara Museum in Córdoba stands out, a work that combines respect for archaeological heritage with cutting-edge contemporary architecture.
The museum, designed by architects Fuensanta Nieto and Enrique Sobejano (Nieto Sobejano Studio), has already been awarded the Piranesi Prize 2024 for Excellence in Archaeology and now aspires to win the highest recognition of Iberian design.
The awards ceremony will take place on 17 June 2026 at the Disseny Hub Barcelona, the same building that houses the Barcelona Design Museum, and will feature the presence of the main figures of architecture, interior design and landscaping from Spain, Portugal, Andorra and Latin America.
The event will be broadcast live on the architecture and design channel and is expected to have a global audience of more than 100,000 viewers.
📅 When are the FAD Awards?
The FAD Awards will take place on Wednesday 17 June 2026 at the Disseny Hub Barcelona (Plaça de les Glòries Catalanes, 37-38). The gala will begin at 19:00 with a welcome cocktail for attendees, followed by the awards ceremony at 20:30.
The event will last until 23:00, with an exclusive after party for guests, sponsors and media.
Tickets for the general public are now on sale through the official website of the FAD Foundation (fad.cat), at a price of €45 for the ceremony and €75 for the subsequent gala dinner.
VIP passes, which include access to the preferential area and the private party with the award-winning architects, cost €150 and sell out quickly each year.
In addition, throughout the week prior to the ceremony (10 to 16 June), guided tours of the finalist works, lectures by the nominated architects and round tables on trends in sustainable design, artificial intelligence applied to architecture and rehabilitation of historical heritage are organised.
For professionals in the sector, there is the possibility of free accreditation before 1 June.
📍 Where are the FAD Awards located?
The FAD Awards ceremony will take place at the Disseny Hub Barcelona, also known as the Barcelona Design Museum, located at Plaça de les Glòries Catalanes, 37-38.
This iconic building, designed by architects Oriol Bohigas, Josep Maria Martí, Francesc Gual and Josep Maria Feliu, is a benchmark of contemporary architecture in Barcelona and the epicentre of design in the city.
From this location, attendees can enjoy an excellent connection with the rest of the city: the Glòries metro stop (L1) is less than 100 metres away, and the tram (T4, T5, T6) connects directly with Poblenou and the Fòrum.
In addition, the Disseny Hub is just 15 minutes by taxi from Plaça Catalunya and 20 minutes from Passeig de Gràcia. For those staying with The Sun Places on Passeig de Gràcia or near La Sagrada Familia, the journey is quick and comfortable.
The finalist works, however, are located in different parts of Spain and Portugal.
In the case of the Medina Azahara Museum, it is located on the outskirts of Córdoba, about 8 kilometres from the historic centre, on the Palma del Río road (CO-3400).
The museum is perfectly integrated into the archaeological complex of the palatine city, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2018.
If you want to visit it, The Sun Places offers you luxury apartments in the heart of Córdoba, just 15 minutes by car from the site.
📜 History of the FAD Awards
The history of the FAD Awards dates back to 1958, when the Foment de les Arts i del Disseny (FAD), an association founded in 1903 by a group of modernist artists and craftsmen, decided to create awards that recognised quality and innovation in architecture and interior design.
The first edition was held in 1958 at the Ateneo Barcelonés, with barely a dozen projects submitted.
The first architecture prize went to the residential building on Muntaner Street in Barcelona, designed by architect Antoni Bonet i Castellana. In 1968, the interior design category was added, and in 1998, the city and landscape and ephemeral interventions categories were added.
Throughout its 68 editions, the FAD Awards have recognised iconic works such as the Barcelona Pavilion by Mies van der Rohe (1986 reconstruction), the Joan Miró Foundation by Josep Lluís Sert, the National Theatre of Catalonia by Ricardo Bofill, and the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao by Frank Gehry (FAD International Award 1998).
In 2000, the thought and criticism category was created, and in 2010 it was opened to all countries of the Iberian Peninsula (including Portugal, Andorra and Gibraltar).
Since 2015, the awards have a specific category for ephemeral architecture and exhibition spaces. In 2026, the 68th edition coincides with the Gaudí Year 2026 and with the celebration of Barcelona, World Capital of Architecture 2026, which has further elevated the prestige and media attention of these awards.
The jury for this edition is chaired by Catalan architect Benedetta Tagliabue (founder of the EMBT studio, author of Diagonal Mar Park and the Scottish Parliament Building), and includes members of the calibre of Juan Herreros, Izaskun Chinchilla, and the Portuguese Eduardo Souto de Moura (Pritzker Prize 2011).
🧑💼 Who organises the FAD Awards?
The FAD Awards are organised by the Foment de les Arts i del Disseny (FAD), a private non-profit entity founded in 1903 and based in Barcelona.
The FAD is the oldest design association in Spain and one of the most prestigious in Europe, with more than 1,200 members including architects, interior designers, landscapers, graphic designers, artists and critics.
The executive committee of the awards is made up of representatives of the four FAD sections: Architecture, Interior Design, City and Landscape, and Thought and Criticism.
The director of the awards is architect Jordi Sargatal, who has led the organising team since 2018. The organisation has the sponsorship of luxury brands such as Cosentino, Gaggenau, Porcelanosa, Roca and Cervezas Alhambra, as well as the institutional support of Barcelona City Council, the Government of Catalonia and the Ministry of Culture.
In 2026, the organisation has implemented a popular voting system through its website, where the public can choose their favourite work among the finalists, and the winner of the public award will be announced during the ceremony.
In addition, the FAD has established a scholarship programme for young Latin American architects, who will be able to attend the gala and professional conferences free of charge.
🌟 What the FAD Awards represent for Barcelona, Córdoba and The Sun Places
The FAD Awards are much more than awards: they are the thermometer of architectural excellence in the Iberian Peninsula and an international showcase of Spanish and Portuguese talent.
For Barcelona, the celebration of these awards represents a recognition of its status as the capital of design and architecture, especially in such an emblematic year as 2026, when the city is World Capital of Architecture by UNESCO.
The event generates an estimated economic impact of 5 million euros in hotels, restaurants and luxury services.
For Córdoba, the presence of the Medina Azahara Museum as a finalist represents a unique opportunity to position its archaeological heritage on the map of contemporary design. The museum, which already receives more than 300,000 visitors per year, could see its attendance increase by 20% if it wins.
For The Sun Places, these awards represent the perfect opportunity to offer our guests an experience that combines history, art and avant-garde architecture.
Our luxury apartments in Córdoba, located in the historic centre next to the Mosque-Cathedral and the Jewish Quarter, are the ideal starting point to visit the finalist museum and discover the Caliphal richness of the city.
In addition, we offer exclusive services such as private guided tours of the archaeological site with professional archaeologists, and reservations at the best restaurants in the city, such as Restaurante Noor (three Michelin stars) or Choco (one star).
🍽️ Gastronomy and special features of the FAD Awards
The FAD Awards ceremony includes a welcome cocktail and a gala dinner designed by renowned chefs.
In 2026, the dinner will be prepared by the team from Restaurant Disfrutar (three Michelin stars), who will offer a tasting menu inspired by architecture and geometry.
Among the standout dishes: "Gaudí's Vault" (cauliflower cream with black truffle and Iberian ham air) and "The Wall of Medina Azahara" (red tuna tartare with black olive powder and crispy rice).
The cocktail will include signature vermouths from the Gràcia Vermouth Route and cavas from the D.O. Penedès. In addition, during the week before the gala, several vermouth bars in the Gràcia neighbourhood will offer special tapas in the shape of iconic buildings (such as the Sagrada Familia or the Mies van der Rohe Pavilion).
In Córdoba, if you want to celebrate the possible victory of Medina Azahara, we recommend Taberna El Bandolero (in Calleja de las Flores) or Mercado Victoria, a gourmet market with more than 30 stalls of local products.
A curiosity: the Medina Azahara Museum has its own restaurant, Aljama, which offers traditional Córdoba cuisine with views of the site. If you visit the museum, don't miss the salmorejo cordobés, oxtail and flamenquín.
🏙️ The perfect plan with The Sun Places for the FAD Awards
Friday 12 June 2026: Arrival in Barcelona and prelude to the awards
- In the afternoon, attend one of the guided tours of the finalist works at the Disseny Hub Barcelona (free prior registration)
Saturday 13 June 2026: Design and architecture day
- In the afternoon, attend the keynote lecture by Benedetta Tagliabue at the Palau de la Música Catalana
- In the evening, dine at La Boqueria Market and then drinks at a rooftop bar on Passeig de Gràcia
Wednesday 17 June 2026: The FAD Awards gala
- During the day, relax and get ready for the gala. Do some last-minute shopping at the luxury shops on Passeig de Gràcia
- At 19:00, go to the Disseny Hub Barcelona for the welcome cocktail.
- At 20:30, attend the awards ceremony and celebrate afterwards at the exclusive after party with the award-winning architects.
✨ Ready to experience the FAD Awards with The Sun Places?
📞 Contact us and let us organise your perfect architecture and luxury getaway. We offer VIP tickets to the gala, private transfers, and reservations at the best restaurants in Barcelona and Córdoba.
But if you prefer other destinations, The Sun Places also has ready for you: Luxury Apartments in Madrid, Luxury Accommodation on the Costa Brava, Luxury Apartments in Seville, Luxury Apartments in Cádiz, Luxury Apartments in Puerto Banús, Luxury Accommodation in Sanlúcar de Barrameda and Luxury Apartments in Córdoba.