Call for Papers /// MODERN CLASSICISM, 19–21 February 2026, Madrid, Spain
- s-architecture
- Oct 9
- 2 min read
MODERN CLASSICISM: First International Conference on 20th-Century Classical Architecture
19–21 February 2026
Madrid, Spain
Manuals and histories of 20th-century architecture have paid very little attention to modern variations on the language of classicism, but, at least until the outbreak of the Second World War, classical architecture had a decisive presence throughout the world. Reflection on the principles of classicism and the reappearance of so-called ‘Postmodern Classicism’ from 1970 onwards, together with the subsequent more abstract approaches of the contextualists, present an image of 20th-century architecture in which classical language plays a fundamental role that has not yet been properly studied and analysed in the context of academic studies. The main objective of the 1st International Conference on 20th-Century Classical Architecture is the recognition, classification and critical evaluation of the different types of architectural classicism that were significant in the last century with a special focus on those authors and trends that were able to adapt classical language to the sensibilities and unprecedented conditions created by modern society.
The conference will be held in the Conference Room of the Madrid School of Architecture from 19 to 21 February 2026, where national and international experts will give lectures and presentations will be given on papers proposed by researchers registered for the conference and accepted by the Scientific Committee. Given the international nature of the conference, simultaneous translation between Spanish and English will be provided. It will be possible to follow the event live and recorded online, as the presentations will be recorded and published on the conference website in the weeks following the event, with the relevant subtitles. The conference will be followed by the publication of the proceedings in a bilingual format.
Topics
MODERNITY AND CLASSICISM
The nature of 20th-century classicism
Specifically modern characteristics, elements and expressive resources in 20th-century classicist architecture
Semantic and linguistic affinities between Modern Classicism and so-called ‘avant-garde architecture’
TYPES OF MODERN CLASSICISM
Cultural and regional varieties of Modern Classicism
Trends: Progressive Classicism, Metaphysical Classicism or Naked Classicism , Diagrammatic Classicism…
Architects and works of particular relevance in the panorama of modern classicism
THE HISTORIOGRAPHICAL DEBATE
Modern Classicism in the historiography of contemporary architecture
Controversies and debates surrounding modern architectural classicism
Historical sources for the study of modern architectural classicism
Key dates
10 November 2025: Deadline for submission of paper proposals
28 November 2025: Notification of acceptance of paper proposals
5th February 2026: Deadline for receipt of complete papers
19th to 21st February 2026: Conference dates
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