In 1996, at the International Union of Architects Congress held in Barcelona, Spain, the organization established that World Architecture Day should coincide with UN-Habitat's World Habitat Day. Therefore, World Architecture Day is celebrated on the first Monday of every October, to celebrate the architect's commitment to our societies, our ecosystems, and our cities.
Nevertheless, some countries around the world kept their national celebrations, highlighting their local milestones. Did you know Brazil celebrates Architecture Day in December paying homage to Oscar Niemeyer's birthday?
In chronological order, these countries celebrate Architecture Day on the following dates:
Paraguay: May 16
Paraguay celebrates Architecture Day on May 16, paying homage to the foundation of Paraguayan Association of Architects (Asociacion Paraguaya de Arquitectos, APAR) in 1946. APAR pushed the foundation of the first architecture school in the country until it finally happened in 1957.
Peru: June 8
Peru celebrates Architecture Day on June 8, highlighting the law that allowed the foundation of the College of Architects of Peru (Colegio de Arquitectos del Perú, CAP) in 1962.
Argentina: July 1
Argentina celebrates Architecture Day on July 1, remembering the foundation of the International Union of Architects (UIA) in 1949.
Venezuela: July 4
Venezuela celebrates Architecture Day on July 4, paying homage to the foundation of the Venezuelan Society of Architects (Sociedad Venezolana de Arquitectos, SVA). In 1966 SVA changed its name to Chamber of Architects of Venezuela (Colegio de Arquitectos de Venezuela) and established the 4th of July as the official day of celebration.
Chile: August 4
Chile celebrates Architecture Day on August 4, remembering the foundation of the Chamber of Architects (Colegio de Arquitectos de Chile) in 1942. The organization awards the CA Prizes on the same day.
UIA (International Union of Architects)
In 1985, the International Union of Architects established July 1 as the official date in homage to its own foundation in Switzerland, 1949. Nevertheless, a subsequent session held in Barcelona (1996) established that World Architecture Day should coincide with UN-Habitat's World Habitat Day.
Colombia: October 27
Colombia celebrates Architecture Day on October 27.
Bolivia: November 13
Bolivia celebrates Architecture Day on November 13, on the occasion of the promulgation of Law 1373 of the Professional Practice of the Architect in 1992.
Uruguay: November 27
Uruguay celebrates Architecture Day on November 27 as an homage to the foundation of the first Architecture School in Uruguay in 1915.
Brasil: December 15
Brazil marks December 15 as the Architecture Day, celebrating Oscar Niemeyer's birthday.
Via FADEA, CA, Universia, FEUAN, CSCAE, CJPPU, Proarca, PUCP
Editor's Note: this article was originally published on July 02, 2019.
