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The company will act as a partner for one of the most prominent academic events of Barcelona 2026 World Capital of Architecture.
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The gathering will bring together architects Rafael Aranda, Carme Pigem, Ramon Vilalta, and Kazuyo Sejima at the Basilica of the Sagrada Família to reflect on the dialogue between heritage and contemporary architecture.
Figueras Seating has joined as a partner of the Pritzker Prize Conference, one of the most outstanding academic events to take place at the Basilica of the Sagrada Família. The event is part of the Barcelona 2026 World Capital of Architecture programme and the commemorations marking the centenary of Antoni Gaudí’s death.
Through this partnership agreement with the Fundació Junta Constructora del Temple Expiatorio de la Sagrada Família, the company reaffirms its commitment to architecture, knowledge sharing, and the promotion of initiatives that foster professional dialogue while highlighting the role of architecture as a cultural and social driver.
The Pritzker Prize Conference
The conference will bring together four internationally renowned Pritzker Architecture Prize laureates at the Basilica of the Sagrada Família: Rafael Aranda, Carme Pigem, and Ramon Vilalta, founders of RCR Arquitectes, alongside Japanese architect Kazuyo Sejima.
The event will open with an introduction by Dr. Jordi Faulí, Chief Architect of the Basilica, and is designed as a space for reflection on the dialogue between heritage and contemporary architecture. Having some of the international scene’s most influential architects gather in a building as iconic as the Sagrada Família reinforces the role of architecture as both a cultural expression and a tool for social transformation.
For Figueras, collaborating on this initiative represents an opportunity to continue strengthening its historic ties to architecture and the city of Barcelona during a particularly significant year for the sector.
According to Marta Ferrer, Business Development Director for Iberia & LATAM at Figueras: “Barcelona is currently experiencing a spectacular momentum in architecture and culture. Being able to contribute to an initiative that brings together some of the most influential voices in international architecture at the Sagrada Família is an opportunity to continue fostering connections between professionals. We share a common vision of how architecture can transform infrastructure, spaces, and society. Throughout our history, we have learned that the best projects are always born from collaboration and the exchange of ideas, and this gathering represents precisely that.”
A Legacy Beyond the Event
The insights and content generated during the Pritzker Prize Conference will be compiled into a dedicated publication driven by the organization, extending the reach and permanence of the ideas shared. Figueras’ collaboration will also extend to this editorial initiative, reinforcing its support for the generation and dissemination of architectural knowledge.
This partnership is part of the company’s strategy to strengthen its relationship with the architectural community and support initiatives that promote reflection, innovation, and knowledge exchange regarding the built environment.
José Manuel Santiago, CEO of Figueras, highlights the relevance of this collaboration: “The Sagrada Família is a project that transcends architecture to become part of Barcelona’s identity and universal culture. For Figueras, after nearly a century of working alongside architects worldwide, contributing to an initiative like this is a way to support the knowledge, dialogue, and values that drive our discipline forward and allow architecture to continue inspiring future generations.”
The Completion of the Tower of Jesus Christ
The Pritzker Prize Conference is part of the events linked to the recent completion of the Tower of Jesus Christ at the Sagrada Família. Standing at 172.5 metres, the completion of this spire marks the culmination of one of the most significant construction milestones in Barcelona’s recent history, coinciding with the centenary of Antoni Gaudí’s death and Barcelona’s designation as World Capital of Architecture.
About Figueras
Figueras is a company specializing in the design, manufacture, and installation of fixed and mobile seating systems for public spaces. With nearly 100 years of history, a presence in over 80 countries, and projects in some of the world’s most renowned cultural venues, it combines precision engineering and aesthetic criteria to deliver solutions that enhance the end-user experience and the venue’s long-term technical viability. Its involvement in projects with highly complex geometries and strict regulatory requirements positions the company as a strategic ally in heritage preservation and the development of contemporary architecture.
