Antalya Expo Grounds COP31 Venue, Turkey
16 October 2026
SP Architects Transforms Antalya’s Expo Grounds into the Venue for COP31
Architecture Design: SP Architects
Location: Antalya Expo grounds, southwestern Turkey
images courtesy of architects practice
SP Architects is transforming the Antalya Expo grounds into the venue for COP31, the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference, which Türkiye will host in Antalya from 9 to 20 November 2026.
This opportunity to reactivate the grounds originally developed for EXPO 2016 and return them to the city as lasting infrastructure brings many opportunities and discussions on what Antalya’s future holds.
COP31 will bring together national delegations, negotiators, civil society and the public across two distinct areas: the Blue Zone, managed by the UNFCCC and home to the formal negotiations, and the Green Zone, open to the public for events, exhibitions and dialogue. Accommodating both on a single site calls for careful organisation of flows, security thresholds and shared spaces, at a scale that shapes the entire grounds through intense stakeholder dialogue.
For the past year, SP Architects has led the process as the architect of the COP31 venue, from concept to construction, working from a design office established on site, in coordination with Türkiye’s Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change and the UNFCCC, while facilitating a process with immense stakeholder communication.
Existing structures across the grounds have been renovated and adapted, and several new structures have been designed as permanent or temporary additions. The venue design reflects resilience and efficiency considerations, with measures ranging from physical environmental control to modular and reusable building components.
A vision for the future of Antalya, its tourism infrastructure and its vision to host events throughout all seasons has been reflected in a legacy of multi-functional venue plans. The decision to approach COP31 as a long-term investment was taken from the outset, together with Antalya’s metropolitan and district municipalities.
Once the conference ends, the grounds will remain in use for fairs, concerts and events, giving the city a venue that continues to serve it well beyond November.
“A climate conference venue should itself reflect the principles discussed inside it,” says Sabri Paşayiğit, Founding Partner of SP Architects. “Our aim was never a stage set for two weeks, but a place that keeps contributing to Antalya long after the delegations have left.”
Antalya Expo Grounds COP31 Venue in southwestern Turkey images / information received 161026 from SP Architects
Location: Antalya, southwestern Turkey
New Turkish Architecture
Contemporary Turkish Architectural Projects
Turkish Architecture Design – chronological list
Bodrum EDITION Mugla Province restaurant, south west Turkey
Architectural Design: URBANJOBS
photo : İbrahim Özbunar I 645studio
Zeffirino Restaurant Istanbul
Architecture: SAVATLI Architects
photo : SAVATLI Architects
Turkish Architects – design firm listing
+++
Contemporary Antalya Architecture Designs
Alanya Vertical Villa in Antalya
Architecture: MADO Studio
image courtesy of architects practice
AHK Kundu Houses in Antalya
Design: GAD Architecture
image courtesy of architects practice
This Turkish architectural design project focuses on adaptive reuse, sustainable design strategies, and the creation of a long-term urban legacy, transforming the former EXPO grounds into a multifunctional venue that will continue to serve the city beyond the conference.
Comments / photos for Antalya Expo Grounds COP31 Venue in southern Turkey property design by SP Architects page welcome
