interihotel MAD26, taking place from 17 to 19 November at IFEMA Madrid under the theme Creative Rebellion, will host five specialised forums addressing different challenges and opportunities in the hospitality sector. Each will have its own curator, independent programme and contributions from national and international experts in architecture, interior design, investment, industry and hotel management.

Notable participants include Albert Grau, Partner at Cushman & Wakefield; Bill Browning, an internationally renowned expert in biophilic design; Tim Fu, an architect specialising in artificial intelligence; Jana Crepon, landscape architect and partner at Inside Outside; and Carlos Lamela, President of Estudio Lamela.

Future Living Forum, Circular Spaces Forum, WellSpaces Forum, Hospitality Building Systems Forum and AI Interiors Forum will provide spaces for reflection and discussion across five specialised fields, with content designed to connect knowledge, professional experience and new solutions with the sector's real-world needs.

Future Living Forum - New accommodation models, design and profitability

On 17 November, Future Living Forum will explore the transformation of accommodation models and the growing convergence of residential, hotel and service spaces.

Curated by Leda Zanlungo (Clarity), the event will take place under the title The Rebellion of Spaces: Where Design Is Capital and examine how concepts such as flexliving, coliving and asset conversion are reshaping the relationship between design, user experience and real estate profitability.

The forum will feature Albert Grau, Partner at Cushman & Wakefield, whose extensive experience in the real estate and hotel sectors will bring valuable insight into the evolution of the hotel market and the emerging trends redefining the industry. His contribution will help explore the challenges and opportunities arising from the transformation of spaces and accommodation models.

Through case studies and discussions involving professionals from the fields of design, investment and operations, the forum will explore the role of design as a strategic tool for creating value in new accommodation models. Other topics will include spatial flexibility, community building, and the integration of services and experiences into projects.

Circular Spaces Forum - Circularity, sustainability and new ways of transforming spaces

Sustainability and the transformation of existing spaces will take centre stage at Circular Spaces Forum, taking place on 18 November under the curation of architect Izaskun Chinchilla.

Under the title Inhabiting a World That Is Already Full, the forum will look beyond a view of circularity limited to material recycling, exploring its constructional, spatial, territorial and cultural dimensions as well.

One of its featured participants will be Jana Crepon, landscape architect and partner at Inside Outside, the renowned studio founded by Petra Blaisse, an international benchmark in the integration of architecture, landscape and interior design. Her contribution will offer an opportunity to explore the relationship between built spaces and their surroundings from a sustainable perspective.

The event will also bring together professionals from architecture, design and research to examine new ways of working with existing structures, making the most of available resources and developing hospitality projects that respond to today's environmental and social challenges.

WellSpaces Forum - Neuroarchitecture, conscious design and wellbeing in hospitality

On the afternoon of 18 November, WellSpaces Forum will bring together specialists in neuroarchitecture, biophilic design and applied research to explore how the built environment influences people's health, emotions and experiences.

Curated by Alba Méndez (Qualia Estudio), the forum will take place under the title Less Hype, More Method, with the aim of translating scientific knowledge into practical design decisions.

One of its key speakers will be Bill Browning, co-founder of Terrapin Bright Green and an internationally renowned expert in biophilic design, who will address the integration of nature into built environments and its impact on human wellbeing.

The programme will also explore the use of assessment methodologies and scientific tools to design healthier, more comfortable spaces tailored to users' needs. Through a series of presentations and discussions, participants will examine how measurable wellbeing criteria can be incorporated into architecture and interior design projects.

Hospitality Building Systems Forum - Industrialised construction, innovation and efficiency in hospitality

On 19 November, Hospitality Building Systems Forum will focus on the transformation of construction processes and the role of industrialisation in improving the efficiency, quality and profitability of hospitality projects.

Curated by Begoña López Ferrer (Componentes y Unidades Constructivas), the forum will take place under the title Industrialise: Design for Manufacturing and Scalable Profitability. Participants will include professionals such as Carlos Lamela, President of Estudio Lamela, as well as representatives from architecture practices, hotel chains, property developers and specialist companies.

Through real-world experiences, discussions and presentations of applied solutions, the forum will examine how integrating design, manufacturing and construction can optimise timelines, reduce risks and deliver more scalable projects without compromising architectural quality.

The event will also address the need to incorporate industrialisation criteria from the earliest stages of a project, encouraging greater coordination among all the stakeholders involved.

AI Interiors Forum - Artificial intelligence and new frontiers in interior design

On the afternoon of 19 November, AI Interiors Forum will explore the integration of artificial intelligence into architecture and interior design.

Curated by Carlos Muñoz (Carlos Muñoz Studio), the event will be entitled The Future Is Now and will examine the potential of these technologies at different stages of a project, from conceptualisation and visual generation to three-dimensional modelling and space optimisation.

One of its featured speakers will be Tim Fu, founder of Studio Tim Fu, recognised for his work exploring new AI-based methodologies for architectural design.

The forum will also showcase projects by practices such as ELIA-OAB, Gina Barcelona Architects and L35 Architects, offering insights into the practical applications of these tools and prompting discussion about their impact on creative processes, studio organisation and the future of the profession.

Five specialised forums for hospitality professionals

Through these five forums, interihotel MAD26 will give industry professionals the opportunity to explore different areas of expertise related to the design and development of hospitality spaces.

Each forum will have its own focus, curator and programme, combining expert presentations, professional experiences and discussion sessions to address the specific challenges of its field.

The forums will take place from 17 to 19 November 2026 at IFEMA Madrid, as part of interihotel MAD26, Europe's leading event for hotel and restaurant design.

Further information and full programmes: interihotel.com/forums