On April 23-24, 2025, at the ACCIONA Campus, the second edition of the NEXT IN Summit, hosted by ACCIONA Living & Culture, brought together global leaders in museology, architecture and art. Inaugurated in the presence of Madrid's mayor, José Luis Martínez Almeida, the event highlighted best practices in cultural space design, management, and innovation. Esteemed figures such as architect David Chipperfield, Glenn D. Lowry, director of MoMA, digital artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, and Mariët Westermann, director and CEO of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, led discussions on the future of cultural institutions.
A key moment came with the presentation of The Ultimate Museum Book, a publication by ACCIONA Living & Culture that compiles more than 150 global museums' most pioneering sustainability initiatives. The launch sparked conversations about how cultural institutions worldwide are integrating environmental and social responsibility into their daily practices.
ACCIONA Living & Culture Drives Sustainability in the Museum Sector
As part of the global ACCIONA group, ACCIONA Living & Culture is a global leader in combining urbanism with cultural development to create projects that positively impact communities worldwide. With The Ultimate Museum Book, the company consolidates its expertise by documenting 33 exemplary sustainability measures that have delivered tangible social and environmental benefits in museums of all scales — from carbon footprint reduction and biodiversity initiatives to inclusive practices and collaboration with local communities.
The Ultimate Museum Book as a Practical Guide For Cultural Institutions
Structured as a collection of fact sheets, The Ultimate Museum Book offers key data on each initiative alongside examples of where they have been implemented — from iconic institutions such as the Panama Biomuseum and the Grand Egyptian Museum to venues like Tate Modern and the Ghent Design Museum. Measures highlighted in the book range from the use of recycled and low-emission building materials to green roofs, accessibility programs, and nature-based solutions. More than a compendium of best practices, the publication encourages professionals to reflect on museums' roles in building a more sustainable society.
Presented on World Book Day as part of the NEXT IN Summit 2025, the publication will be available in specialized bookstores in Spain and abroad, as well as online through platforms like Amazon and La Fábrica starting May 7, 2025.
Towards Inclusive And Hybrid Museum Models
Throughout the NEXT IN summit, a shared vision emerged: museums are no longer static repositories but active spaces that respond to the needs of contemporary society. For Juan Ignacio Entrecanales, vice-chairman of ACCIONA, this means embracing inclusivity, sustainability, and openness to the public, reshaping how cultural institutions engage with their communities. Glenn D. Lowry expanded on this idea by advocating for cultural institutions that encourage cross-pollination across cultures and disciplines, moving beyond traditional silos. Rather than focusing solely on technological advances, Mariët Westermann argued, the future of museums will depend on their ability to speak a common language of radical inclusion, one that resonates deeply with younger generations.
These reflections resonate with ACCIONA Living & Culture's own approach, as the company champions projects that invite participation and broaden access. As David Chipperfield noted, the arts have an essential role as a bridge between past and future—a notion mirrored in efforts to open up collections and spaces, such as the Prado Museum's expansion at the Casón del Buen Retiro, which will make previously unseen works available to the public.
PROJECT INFO:
name: The Ultimate Museum Book
company: ACCIONA Living & Culture | @accionacultura
book image credit: Ana Larrazabal
