Modernism Revisited: Typology – Topography – Strategy

ETOM Milestone Conference 2026

Under the auspices of DOCOMOMO International and the Slovak Chamber of Architects

• 21–23 October 2026 — ODA Trenčín

Modernism Revisited 2026, held within the official programme of ECOC Trenčín 2026, invites scholars, architects, planners, educators, researchers, and policymakers to reflect on how modernist architecture, landscape, and planning visions can be reinterpreted and reactivated in the twenty-first century. The conference seeks an interdisciplinary dialogue across time and scale—linking architectural form with territorial context, and historical experience with contemporary and future scenarios. This conference is organised by the Jaromír Krejcar Society and the ETOM NEB Lab partnered with DOCOMOMO Slovakia.

Modernism—both as a historical movement and as an continuous architectural, technological, and cultural layer—continues to shape how we build, inhabit, and imagine the world. Emerging from diverse political, climatic, and cultural contexts—from liberal democracies to state-planned economies—in the past century generated a wide spectrum of approaches to architecture, urbanism, and life.

Today, these multiple legacies face new realities: ecological transitions, demographic shifts, and the transformation of once-public infrastructures and institutions. While mere technocratic, aesthetically formalistic and ideologically dogmatic conceptions of Modernism did not survive. The theories, practices and ideologies of modern thinking continue to shape our realities, while being constantly challenged and questioned. In order to challenge the current multicrisis, the humanist, emancipatory and social aspects need to be considered. The legacy of Modernism lives on as a structural framework to be filled in with contemporary ideas.

Contributions are invited under three thematic lenses:

1. Typology — Repurposed

A critical notion of Typology explores Modernism through the lens of architectural form and organization. It revisits the models, concepts, and systems that once structured public, collective or private spheres of life and asks how they can be understood and reimagined across different cultural, climatic, and political settings, through shared and personal experiences. Typology is approached not only as a technical or historical notion, but as a conceptual framework that connects design thinking with broader questions of social organization and transformation.

Possible topics include:

• Architectural and spatial typologies of Modernism — social infrastructure, recreation, culture, administration, education and health
  

• Typology as a conceptual or methodological approach in design and planning
  

• Reinterpretations and transformations of collective living and standardised forms
  

• Typologies as "organizational models of life," linking architecture to social and political structures
  

• (Dis)continuity, hybridisation and mutation of typological thinking across regions and periods
  

2. Topography — Remodeled

Topography considers Modernism within its landscape, climatic, social, environmental and territorial settings. It focuses on the modern environments and its (r)evolution within the ecological systems, infrastructures, and communities. This theme invites perspectives on how modern architecture and planning transformed, and continues to interact with, the physical and social geographies that surround them—in different scales and contexts.

Possible topics include:

• Modern landscapes, regions, and territorial structures
  

• Environmental and social ecologies of modern sites
  

• Stakeholders, communities, and the dynamics of intervention
  

• Changing visibility, accessibility, and representation of modern environments
  

• Interactions between built form, infrastructure, and natural systems

• Reaction to changing climatic conditions
  

3. Strategy — Reinvented

Strategy explores how modern legacies can be re-engaged through contemporary design practice, education, research, and policy-making. This theme invites forward-looking and interdisciplinary approaches that respond to today's ecological, technological, and social transformations. Strategy also welcomes historical and contemporary examples from practice and pedagogy that translate modern principles into contemporary conditions of experimentation, collaboration, and care.

Possible topics include:

• Adaptive reuse, revitalization, preservation and transformation of modern heritage
  

• Ecological and socio-economic frameworks for sustainable modernization
  

• Innovative methodologies in design, planning, and heritage management
  

• Governance, policy, and collaborative approaches to complex environments
  

• Education and practice as agents of transformation
  

• Speculative and critical scenarios for future forms of living, dwelling, and production
  

Cross-cutting Questions

• What does Modernism mean today? Is it still a living concept or a historical notion? Which legacies and interpretations of Modernism remain relevant?

• How can Modernism be reinterpreted and reactivated for contemporary and future challenges?

• How should we transform the methods of modern investigation in the face of current challenges?
  

• What new trajectories—architectural, speculative, experimental, ecological, social, ethical and political—can its legacies open?
  

• How do historical typologies engage with diverse climates and societal needs today?
  

• Which transformations, whether successful or contested, provide insight for future practice?
  

Deadline Schedule

• 02 December 2025 — Open Call for Abstracts
  

• 09 February 2026 — Call for Abstracts deadline
  

• 30 April 2026 — 1st version of the final Paper submission deadline
  

• 15 June 2026 — 2nd final version of the paper submission deadline
  

• 21–23 October 2026 — Conference, ODA Trenčín

Formats

• Scholarly papers
  

• Practice-based presentations
  

• Case studies (successful or unsuccessful transformations)
  

• Comparative or cross-regional analyses
  

• Theoretical, conceptual or other relevant reflections
  

About the Conference

Modernism Revisited 2026 is organised as part of the European Capital of Culture programme taking place in Trenčín, Slovakia. The event is initiated by the Jaromír Krejcar Society in collaboration with ETOM NEB Lab and Docomomo Slovakia.

Bringing together diverse international perspectives, the conference aims to reassess the relevance of modernism today. By linking typology, topography, and strategy—as interconnected readings of architecture, landscape, and interdisciplinary practice—it explores how modernist ideals, infrastructures, and environments evolved under differing political systems and climatic conditions, and how they can inform the urgent challenges of our time.

We look forward to your contributions and to a shared exploration of how modernism may be repurposed, remodeled, and reinvented.

Costs: There is no conference participation fee. Travel, accommodation, and meal costs are the responsibility of each participant.

Conference Programme

The international conference Modernism Revisited 2026 brings together researchers, architects, historians and heritage professionals focusing on the legacy and contemporary interpretation of modern architecture.

The programme will include:
- keynote lectures by invited international speakers
- thematic academic sessions
- panel discussions
- presentations of current research and conservation projects
- guided visits related to modern architecture in Trenčín
- networking opportunities for participants

The detailed conference programme will be published soon.

Registration

Registration will be available through an online registration form, which will be published on the conference website.

Participants will be able to register for:
- full conference participation
- selected conference days
- accompanying events and guided tours

Further information about registration deadlines, conference fees, payment options and confirmations will be announced soon.

Venue

ODA – Officers' House of the Army (Posádkový klub)
Hviezdoslavova 205
911 01 Trenčín
Slovakia

The Okruhový dom armády (ODA) is the main venue of the Modernism Revisited 2026 conference.

Designed by Ivan Kočan, Eduard Horváth and Dušan Bálent (1977–1978, completed 1985), the building is a distinctive example of late modernist architecture with brutalist influences in Slovakia. Its monumental stone-clad volumes were conceived as a cultural and representative centre in the new modern urban core of Trenčín.

The building contains several large halls and conference spaces, including:
- a main theatre hall with capacity of approx. 580 seats
- a conference and event hall for approx. 300 participants
- additional seminar and meeting rooms in the adjacent Garrison Club

Interior spaces include original design elements and artworks, most notably a monumental mural by artist František Gajdoš in the foyer.

Machnáč Sanatorium

One of the most important modernist buildings in the region is the Machnáč Sanatorium in Trenčianske Teplice, designed by the Czech avant‑garde architect Jaromír Krejcar.

The building was designed in 1929 and completed in 1932 as a spa and rehabilitation facility. It is considered one of the most significant examples of functionalist architecture in Slovakia and Central Europe.

The sanatorium is characterised by a reinforced concrete structure, ribbon windows and terraces reflecting the principles of modernist architecture focused on hygiene, sunlight and functional efficiency.

Jaromír Krejcar Society

The Jaromír Krejcar Society is a non‑profit organisation dedicated to research, protection and promotion of modern architecture, particularly the legacy of architect Jaromír Krejcar.

The society actively advocates for the preservation and revitalisation of the Machnáč Sanatorium and works to raise international awareness of its architectural value through research, publications, exhibitions and cultural events.