The Egurtek International Congress on Wood Architecture and Construction will once again position BEC as a leading meeting point for reflection and the exchange of knowledge on sustainable architecture. The eleventh edition of the forum, to be held on 28 and 29 October, will feature a high-level programme bringing together renowned professionals whose careers reflect the growing role of timber as a strategic material in the transformation of the construction sector. In previous editions, Egurtek has welcomed Pritzker Prize winners such as David Chipperfield and Shigeru Ban, among other leading experts.

The Congress, whose programme continues to attract new speakers and will feature a distinctly international character, will address key issues for the future of contemporary architecture. The presentations will offer a broad perspective, ranging from domestic and regional projects to large-scale engineering developments, highlighting how timber has established itself as a material capable of responding to the climatic and social challenges of the 21st century.

The first day will open with presentations by Óscar Andrés and Iván Andrés Quintela, who founded the Santiago de Compostela-based practice Arrokabe Arquitectos in 2006. They are noted for integrating traditional systems with sustainability and respect for the local environment. Their career includes prestigious awards such as the Egurtek Awards in 2016 and 2024. Paloma Hernaiz, co-founder of the Palma de Mallorca-based OHLAB Arquitectura, is an architect trained at ETSAM and Columbia University, with international experience at firms such as OMA (Rem Koolhaas) and Richard Rogers Partnership.

From the Central European context, Oliver Sterl, partner at RLP Rüdiger Lainer + Partner Architekten, will share his vision of urban planning and sustainable architecture following more than thirty years of experience. He is an international leader in the use of hybrid structures and timber, notably for his role in the landmark “HoHo Wien” project, one of the tallest timber buildings in the world. France will contribute one of the leading voices on the line-up: Christophe Ouhayoun, co-founder of KOZ Architectes and a key figure at Aagroup Paris. A leading figure in sustainable multi-family housing and high-rise timber buildings, he has designed biosustainable projects with a strong social focus, such as Sensations (Strasbourg), which became Europe’s tallest residential timber skyscraper.

Cecilia López Muiños and Juanjo Otero, founders of the Ourense-based studio MOLA Arquitectura, specialise in rural regeneration and community-focused architecture in Galicia. Their internationally acclaimed work stands out for its sensitivity to heritage and minimalist construction detailing. Andrea García Crespo, architect and co-founder of BABELstudio, is a key emerging figure in contemporary Basque architecture. Trained under David Chipperfield, she is noted for reinterpreting building traditions with technical precision and a refined aesthetic. Her studio is a leading name in renovation and small-scale architectural projects, such as the Azkarraga Farmhouse and the Aralar Cabin.

The technical and multidisciplinary dimension of the sector will be represented by Borja Gómez Martín, senior architect and project director at IDOM, who specialises in the technical management of complex international construction projects. His work stands out for integrating technological innovation, energy efficiency and landscaping, as demonstrated by the award-winning Bodegas Beronia. The field of structural engineering will be represented by Erich Wiesner, CEO of the Austrian firm WIEHAG, a world leader in the construction of large-scale glulam structures. Under his leadership, the company has overcome major technical challenges on projects such as London’s Crossrail stations and the Macallan Distillery.

The programme will also feature the international perspective of Martín Hurtado, a Chilean architect specialising in timber construction and founder of his own practice in Santiago de Chile in 1993. He brings international expertise gained through more than 150 projects that position timber as a strategic and sustainable material. Chinese timber architecture will be represented at Egurtek by Song Yehao (China), an architect, researcher and lecturer at Tsinghua University, as well as the founder of SUP Atelier, a studio internationally recognised for an architectural approach that combines technological innovation, vernacular knowledge and advanced sustainability.

Alongside the Congress, Egurtek will once again feature an exhibition area showcasing innovative products and services. To date, exhibiting companies and organisations from Italy, France, Germany and Romania, in addition to Spain, have confirmed their participation, including Hans Hundegger, Rotho Blaas, Piveteau Bois, Kupsa, FINSA, Irurena Group, Heco Schrauben, Leica Geosystems and Baskegur.

The Technical Conferences organised by Baskegur – Basque Wood Association, together with the Innovation Workshops and networking activities, will round off the event, whose highlights will include the Egurtek Awards ceremony, for which nearly 80 entries have been submitted. The awards recognise the best projects and contributions in various categories linked to architecture, interior design, product design and the promotion of the value of wood.

Egurtek is organised by Bilbao Exhibition Centre and is supported by the Basque Government’s Department of Food, Rural Development, Agriculture and Fisheries as an institutional partner, in collaboration with Infoedita, Bilbao School of Engineering/University of the Basque Country, Baskegur – Basque Wood Association and the Official Association of Architects of the Basque Country and Navarre.