ArchUp curates the most relevant architectural events, industry conferences, and design exhibitions from around the world. Whether you’re interested in urban innovation, building technologies, or artistic workshops, our platform highlights the top happenings in global architecture. Discover ongoing dialogues in the Architectural Discussion section or explore future opportunities in competitions.
The Wave 2025, an exhibition installation, is set in the Great Hall of the National Building Museum, Washington, DC. The event showcases a huge building consisting entirely of upcycled aluminum, which is to say, it is a deep dive into the architectural possibilities of material innovations and fabrications. The event is an educational and artistic experience rather than a competition among different designs.
The exhibition presents the convergence of advanced material logic and collaborative fabrication as the driving forces behind sustainable and resilient architectural structures. Moreover, it invites the audience to rethink the structure-design-imagination triangle.
The exhibition is open to the public during the whole period of the event. No configuration of works, no competitive processes, and no design submissions are required as the event is set up as an installation exhibit.
There is no jury whatsoever. The installation does not represent a judged competition and also does not include any formal awards.
Fees
| Category | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Exhibition admission | Free |
| Reward type | Details |
|---|---|
| Formal awards | None |
| Recognition format | None |
| Professional benefit | Exposure to experimental installation and material innovation |
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Event period | December 27, 2025 to early 2026 |
| Venue | National Building Museum, Washington, DC |
| Typical hours | Museum hours during operational period |
The Wave at the National Building Museum is regarded as a structural research installation that investigates material logic and collaborative fabrication in architecture, thus working between the spheres of art and built form rather than being a typical architecture exhibition. The project highlights usage of new materials and principles of engineering, which can help to sustain future eco-friendly structural practices, but the way it has been presented is such that it brings the spectacle of demonstration to the fore rather than architectural critique or theory discourse that is rigorous. Its impact on architectural thinking depends on the level of the visitors’ engagement with the formal and material implications of the installation rather than on the installation’s narrative alone.
The Wave 2025 is more of a display installation than a competitive architectural event. It reveals an engineered structure that demonstrates material innovation and a partnership in fabrication. There are no judges or awards. The public’s involvement alongside the critics’ reflections on structural design are the main sources of the event’s value, while the individual design accolades are no more than a by-product of the recognition.
Explore the Latest Architecture Exhibitions & Conferences
ArchUp offers daily updates on top global architectural exhibitions, design conferences, and professional art and design forums. Follow key architecture competitions, check official results, and stay informed through the latest architectural news worldwide. ArchUp is your encyclopedic hub for discovering events and design-driven opportunities across the globe.
From groundbreaking project updates to transformative competition results, ArchUp connects you with every milestone in the world of architecture. Stay engaged with visual inspiration from real creatives, read our research articles, or get in touch via our Contact Page to share your event. For editorial collaborations, visit our editors’ section.
