7 Finalists Revealed for the EU Mies van der Rohe Award 2026

The European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture – Mies van der Rohe Award is widely regarded as Europe’s most prestigious architectural honor. Awarded biennially, it recognizes built projects that demonstrate architectural excellence, social responsibility, technical innovation, and cultural relevance across Europe.

Unlike awards that prioritize iconic form alone, the EU Mies Award places strong emphasis on:

• Adaptive reuse over demolition

• Public value and civic engagement

• Environmental responsibility

• Context-driven design

• Architectural longevity

For the 2026 edition, the jury reviewed 410 nominated projects from across Europe. After a rigorous evaluation process, 40 projects were shortlisted, from which 7 finalists have now emerged—5 in the Architecture category and 2 in Emerging Architecture.

The 7 Finalists for the EU Mies van der Rohe Award 2026

Architecture Category – 5 Finalists

1. Palais des Expositions, Charleroi, Belgium

Architects: AgwA + architecten jan de vylder inge vinck

This project represents a powerful statement on architectural restraint and urban regeneration. Rather than replacing the existing 1950s exhibition hall, the architects carefully reworked its structure—opening the building to the city while preserving its original identity.

Key architectural strengths include:

• Minimal structural intervention

• Integration of landscape and public circulation

• Reuse of existing materials

• Strong relationship between interior and exterior public space

2. Rehabilitation of Vapor Cortès – Prodis 1923, Terrassa, Spain

Architects: H ARQUITECTES

A former industrial complex has been transformed into a social and welfare facility, emphasizing dignity, inclusivity, and environmental performance. The project demonstrates how industrial heritage can be reprogrammed to serve contemporary social needs.

Architectural highlights:

• Passive climate strategies

• Daylight-driven spatial organization

• Structural clarity and honesty

• Community-oriented programming

This project stands as a benchmark for socially responsible architecture in Southern Europe.

3. Lot 8, LUMA Arles – Renovation of Le Magasin Électrique, France

Architects: Atelier Luma, BC architects & studies, ASSEMBLE

Located within the LUMA Arles cultural campus, this project transforms a former electrical warehouse into a hybrid cultural and sports facility. The architecture balances heritage preservation, material experimentation, and civic accessibility.

Key qualities:

• Use of bio-based and reused materials

• Emphasis on craftsmanship

• Strong urban connectivity

• Multi-program flexibility

The project exemplifies architecture as a collaborative, cultural process rather than a singular formal gesture.

4. Josephine Baker – Marie-José Perec Sports and Cultural Centre, France

Architect: onze04 (Gustavo Silva-Nicoletti)

This project merges sports, culture, and community into a single civic landmark. Designed to be both functional and symbolic, the building prioritizes natural ventilation, daylight, and openness while serving diverse public activities.

Architectural significance:

• Hybrid program integration

• Climate-responsive design

• Strong civic presence

• Emphasis on inclusivity and accessibility

It reflects a broader European trend of multi-functional public buildings that support daily urban life.

5. Gruž Market, Dubrovnik, Croatia

Architects: ARP / Peračić-Veljačić

Set within a historic Mediterranean port city, the Gruž Market introduces a lightweight architectural intervention that enhances public life without overpowering its context. A carefully designed canopy improves climatic comfort while reinforcing the market’s social role.

Why it stands out:

• Sensitive heritage integration

• Climatic responsiveness

• Enhancement of everyday urban rituals

• Respect for local identity

This project demonstrates how small-scale architecture can deliver large civic impact.

Emerging Architecture Category – 2 Finalists

6. Multi-Service Cultural Centre Le Foirail, Occitanie, France

Architects: Betillon & Freyermuth + Crypto Architectes

Designed as a flexible civic infrastructure, this project supports cultural, social, and communal activities within a compact architectural footprint. It emphasizes local materials, modularity, and adaptability.

Key themes:

• Resource-efficient construction

• Community-driven programming

• Long-term adaptability

• Strong regional identity

The project reflects how emerging practices are redefining public architecture through pragmatism and social awareness.

7. Temporary Spaces for Slovenian National Theatre Drama, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Architects: Vidic Grohar Arhitekti

Created as a temporary solution during the renovation of the historic national theatre, this project transformed an industrial hall into a fully functional performance space—demonstrating architectural ingenuity under constraints.

Why it matters:

• Low-cost, high-impact intervention

• Adaptive reuse with minimal waste

• Cultural continuity during transition

• Flexible spatial systems

It challenges the idea that permanence defines architectural value.

Jury Perspective and Evaluation Criteria

The 2026 jury emphasized projects that:

• Contribute meaningfully to public life

• Address climate responsibility

• Demonstrate constructive intelligence

• Engage deeply with local context

• Prioritize reuse and transformation

This reinforces a clear message: Europe’s most relevant architecture today is not about spectacle, but stewardship.

Conclusion: What the 2026 Finalists Reveal About European Architecture

The EU Mies van der Rohe Award 2026 finalists collectively signal a decisive shift in architectural values:

• From newness to reuse

• From icons to infrastructure

• From exclusivity to public inclusion

• From formal excess to material intelligence

These projects are not only exemplary buildings—they are models for how architecture can respond responsibly to social, cultural, and environmental challenges.

As Europe faces increasing pressure from climate change, urban transformation, and cultural preservation, the 2026 finalists demonstrate that architecture remains a powerful tool for collective progress.