aak convention

AAK Annual Convention & the Nairobi Biennale of Architecture

Convention Theme: Shifting the Built Environment from Fragility to Resilience
Biennale Theme: Shifting the Center: From Fragility to Resilience"
Reclaiming Africa's Architecture and the Future

The premier platform convening architects, designers, planners, policymakers, developers, and cultural leaders. A continental hub for architectural discourse, a laboratory for climate-responsive design, and a meeting ground for policy, investment, and culture.

Main Event September 2026
Location Nairobi, Kenya
Format 54 Pavilions
Forum Date 01/09/2026
May 2026

Students Charette

Activities
Exhibitors Forum: 06/04/2026 at Jamhuri Park Expo Centre, ASK Showgrounds, Nairobi — Scan to Register or Apply Online Below

Biennale 2026 Program

April 2026

Prelude Phase

  • 06 April: Exhibitors & Vendors Forum at Jamhuri Park Expo Centre — Informative session for all potential participants
  • 10–12 April: East African Student Design Charrette — Live design challenge
  • 11–13 April: Public Exhibition at KICC — Student solutions showcase
  • 24 April: Pan-African Heritage Talk — National broadcast
September 2026

Week 1: Foundation

  • 1–4 Sept: BORAQS CPD Week — Accredited professional seminars
  • 8 Sept: Official Opening at KICC — High-level continental event
  • Topics: Sustainability, climate resilience, digital construction, heritage
8–18 Sept 2026

Core Biennale

  • Jamhuri Park: 54 National Pavilion Exhibitions
  • Daily keynotes on resilience and decolonizing architecture
  • Student forums & emerging architect showcases
  • Workshops, film screenings, cultural performances
24–26 Sept 2026

Diani Convention

  • AAK Annual Convention in Diani, Kenya
  • Leadership forums and policy dialogues
  • Awards & gala evening
  • Professional networking

Registration Categories

Select your participation pathway. Join the continental movement reclaiming African architectural authorship.

🏛️

National Pavilion

Official country representations at Jamhuri Park Expo Centre. 54 pavilions representing each African nation.

Apply by 15 May 2026
KES 2,000,000
🏗️

Exhibitor / Vendor

Individual practitioners, firms, and industry vendors presenting built works, products, or services.

Forum: 06/04/2026
KES50,000 (KES25,000 FOR EMERGING)
🎓

Student / Emerging

Free registration for East African Student Design Charrette. 30 places available. Includes mentorship and public exhibition.

Charrette: 10–12 April
FREE
🤝

Strategic Partner

Title, Platinum, Gold, Silver, or Bronze partnership tiers. Align with ESG priorities and continental visibility.

KES 700K – 8.4M
KES 2,000,000
📐

Curator / Academic

Research collectives and academic institutions proposing discourse programs and thematic exhibitions.

Deadline: 30 June 2026
KES 2,000,000
👥

Professional / CPD

BORAQS accredited CPD seminars for architects, engineers, QS, and built environment professionals.

Opens: 1 MAY 2026
KES 30,000

Submission Guidelines

Key criteria for the first Pan-African Biennale of Architecture

📋 Eligibility

  • Open to Built Environment professionals, designers, art curators, policy makers and developers of African nationality or diaspora
  • Projects completed after January 2024 or new commissions
  • Individual practitioners, collectives, firms, and national institutes
  • National Pavilions require official ministry endorsement
  • Student Charrette limited to 30 East African students

💰 Investment Tiers

  • National Pavilion: KES 2,000,000 (54m², branding, ceremony)
  • Title Partner: KES 8,400,000 (exclusive naming)
  • Platinum: KES 5,250,000 (max 2 partners)
  • Gold/Silver/Bronze: KES 3.5M / 1.75M / 700K
  • Exhibitor: KES 50,000 (KES 25,000 emerging)
  • Student Charrette: Free

🎨 Selection

  • International jury of African architects and academics
  • Focus on reclaiming African authorship
  • Alignment with fragility-to-resilience theme
  • Notification: 15 August 2026
  • Waitlist: 1 September 2026

📦 Technical

  • Pavilion: 54m² standard at Jamhuri Park
  • Climate-resistant materials required
  • Compliance with Kenyan building codes
  • Technical rider due: 1 August 2026
  • Customs support provided

Online Registration Portal

Complete your application for the Pan-African Biennale of Architecture 2026. Join us at the Exhibitors Forum on 01/09/2026.

Applicant Information

Primary contact for all Biennale communications

Participation Details

Supporting Documents

Required for Review

  • Curriculum Vitae (max 3 pages, PDF only, max 10 MB)
  • Portfolio: 5-10 images of recent work
  • Technical drawings or specifications
  • National Pavilions: Endorsement letter
📄

Drag and drop your CV or browse to upload

📁

Drag and drop files or browse to upload

Fee Total: KES 0

Partnership Opportunities

Title KES 8.4M
Platinum KES 5.25M
Gold KES 3.5M
Silver KES 1.75M
Bronze KES 700K

Program-specific: Climate Forum, Student Pavilion, Women in Design, Gala Night, Digital Platform, Diani Convention

QR CODE
06/04/2026
Forum Registration

Scan to register for the Exhibitors & Vendors Forum

Jamhuri Park Expo Centre, ASK Showgrounds, Nairobi

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens at the 06/04/2026 Exhibitors Forum? +
The Exhibitors & Vendors Forum at Jamhuri Park Expo Centre is an informative session for all potential Biennale participants. It covers curatorial expectations, pavilion standards, venue logistics, and networking opportunities. Attendance is free but registration is required. The forum positions Nairobi as a continental hub for architectural discourse, a laboratory for climate-responsive design, and a meeting ground for policy, investment, and culture.
How do the 54 National Pavilions work? +
Each African nation is allocated a dedicated pavilion at Jamhuri Park Expo Centre (approximately 54m²). Countries may be represented by their ministry of culture, national architectural institute, or curated selection of that nation's architects. Applications require official endorsement and payment of KES 2,000,000. Pavilions are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
What is the KES 35 million partnership target for? +
The Biennale aims to raise KES 35 million to ensure high-quality infrastructure for 54 pavilions, international broadcasting, production of Student Pavilion and Women in Design Forum, CPD accreditation, and accessibility programs including travel grants. Partners receive visibility across all platforms and alignment with ESG priorities.
Can I participate in both Jamhuri Park and Diani Convention? +
Yes. The Diani Convention (24–26 September) concludes the Biennale with leadership forums, policy dialogues, and the awards gala. Main exhibition participants are encouraged to attend. Special package rates available for Diani accommodation and transport from Nairobi.
What are the five focus areas? +
Submissions should align with: 1) Resilient Urbanism, 2) Climate-Responsive Design, 3) Decolonizing Spatial Narratives, 4) Heritage and Memory, or 5) Technological Innovation. The curatorial team prioritizes work addressing "fragility" (climate vulnerability, social inequality, colonial legacies) and proposing "resilience" (adaptive strategies, local materials, community agency).

Contact Secretariat

📧
Email aak@aak.or.ke
📞
Phone +254 721 691 337
📍
Office Blue Violets Plaza
Kamburu Drive, Nairobi
🏛️
Venue Jamhuri Park Expo Centre
ASK Showgrounds