RIBA International celebrated the launch of the new Europe Chapter with a two day programme that took place on 9 and 10 May 2025. Activities included: a celebratory breakfast, tours, opportunities to network, and a luxurious cocktail reception. The events gave RIBA Members, industry leaders, and cultural representatives across Europe an opportunity to network, exchange ideas, and participate in architectural exploration.
Kindly supported by the British Council, the launch of the Europe chapter kicked off with a private celebratory launch breakfast at the British Pavilion in Venice on Friday 9 May. This was the first formal RIBA presence at the Biennale, now in its 19th series as one of the most prestigious cultural festivals in the world attracting up to 600,000 international visitors annually.
The launch ceremony featured keynote speeches from Muyiwa Oki, PRIBA; Sevra Davis, Director of architecture, Design and Fashion at the British Council; Waldemar Koehler, RIBA Councillor for Europe; Simon Allford, Chair of RIBA Fundraising Board and founder of AHMM; and Kabage Karanja, a member of the UK/Kenyan curatorial team behind this year’s British Pavilion.
The Europe Chapter is now the fifth international chapter - following its endorsement by RIBA Board in February 2025 - joining China, Hong Kong, Singapore, and the Gulf, alongside two independent volunteer groups in Sri Lanka and the USA.
The event also served as an introduction to the newly appointed RIBA Europe Chapter leadership team. These individuals will be instrumental in shaping the Chapter’s direction over the next three years:
- Branch chair: Waldemar Koehler
- Honorary treasurer: Henry Robert Beech Mole
- Honorary secretary: Fernando Navarro Bidegain (also Spain Representative)
- Student representative: Daniel Karol
- Branch committee:
- Carla Cabrera Fernandez
- Rebecca Louise Halstead
- Nathalie Rozencwajg
- David Wylde (also Ireland Representative)
Following the launch event, the day continued with a visit to the Punta della Dogana Museum. This venue - an architectural landmark redesigned by Tadao Ando - hosted further reflections on architectural heritage and modern reinterpretation. The tour was then followed by a cocktail reception offering attendees an opportunity to network with fellow guests, exchange ideas, and make new connections in a casual, welcoming environment.
On day two, Friday 10 May, attendees explored the Procuratie Vecchie for an exclusive tour of the recently restored Procuratie Vecchie, offering insights into Venice’s architectural legacy and social impact initiatives. In the afternoon guests continued to La Fondazione Querini Stampalia, for a journey through the historic palace blending old-world charm and Scarpa’s genius renovation.
The programme succeeded not only in formally celebrating the launch of our new Europe chapter, but also in creating an environment of exchange that reflects our global values: sustainability, innovation, inclusivity, and heritage.
The event attracted a wide range of participants including students, practicing architects, academic representatives, and cultural partners from across Europe.
Attendees were inspired by the diversity of perspectives, the quality of conversation, and the opportunities for future collaboration. Many participants expressed interest in contributing to the chapter’s initiatives and taking part in future events.
In addition to the officers and committee members, the entire RIBA Europe team - whose dedication and collaborative spirit made this launch possible - includes a diverse group of regional representatives who bring valuable local insight and strengthen the connection between RIBA and architectural communities across the continent:
- Nordics Representative – Rebecca Halstead
- Portugal Representative – João Bravo da Costa
- Benelux Representative – Anurag Bhattacharya
- France/Monaco Representative – Martin Tubiana
- DACH Representative – Bismark Okuta B.
- Italy/Malta Representative – Jacopo Franchini
- Poland Representative – Adam Pienkowski
- Balkan Representative – Ben Smith
- Black Sea Region Representative – Mariam Menabde
- Turkey Representative – Eda Kutluozen
RIBA Europe will serve as a dynamic platform for architectural advocacy, cultural exchange, and professional development.
Please click here to read the official press announcement (13 May 2025) of our RIBA Europe Chapter.
Find out more
The recently founded chapter continues its plans to promote architecture and support architects by organising events across Europe and giving members the chance to meet, discuss, build networks with, and present their work to a wider audience of professionals.
To learn more about RIBA Europe and stay up to date on activities please follow on LinkedIn or contact the Councillor for Europe, Waldemar Koehler directly by email waldemar.koehler@riba.org.
You can also find out more about their past event in Paris or learn about the tour held in Milan, both successful RIBA Europe events held in 2024. The chapter kicked off 2025 with their first event in Frankfurt followed by an International Women's Day Celebration in March in Copenhagen.
