The European Commission and the Fundació Mies van der Rohe have revealed the 40 projects shortlisted for the 2026 European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture / Mies van der Rohe Awards (EUmies Awards). Drawn from 410 nominations across 40 countries and 143 regions, the shortlist spans 18 countries and 36 cities, showcasing contemporary European architecture completed between May 2023 and April 2025.
The international jury, chaired by architect Smiljan Radić, focused on projects completed between May 2023 and April 2025, with particular attention to sustainability, reuse, social value, and contextual sensitivity. Notably, nearly half of the shortlisted works involve transformation or regeneration rather than new construction, underlining a broader shift in contemporary European practice.
Key Themes Emerging from the EUmies Awards 2026 Shortlist Projects
Before turning to the country-by-country overview, several clear tendencies stand out:
- Regeneration over replacement, with many projects reworking existing structures, landscapes, and infrastructures
- Social and public programmes are taking precedence, including housing, schools, cultural buildings, and civic spaces
- Landscape and climate-responsive design integrated into urban and rural contexts
- A strong presence of collective and interdisciplinary practices, particularly in emerging architecture
Together, these projects outline a Europe where architecture is increasingly measured by its long-term impact.
Austria
- Sport & Leisure: Public Swimming Pool Großfeldsiedlung by illiz architektur
Belgium
- Culture: Charleroi Palais des Expositions by AgwA + architecten jan de vylder inge vinck
- Education: USquare Feder by Callebaut architecten, BC architects & studies, evr-Architecten bvba + VK architects+engineers
Croatia
- Commerce: Gruž Market in Dubrovnik by ARP/Peračić-Veljačić
- Single house: Double Villa Bukovac by njiric+ arhitekti
Czech Republic
- Culture: Multifunctional Hall in Imperial Spa by Petr Hájek ARCHITEKTI
Denmark
- Mixed-use – Cultural & Social: Thoravej 29 by pihlmann architects
- Landscape: Grønningen-Bispeparken by SLA
Finland
- Sport & Leisure: Tammela Stadium by JKMM Architects
France
- Collective housing: 56 Social Dwellings by Jean et Aline Harari architectes
- Industrial: Lot 8, LUMA Arles – Renovation of Le Magasin Électrique by ASSEMBLE, Atelier Luma, BC architects & studies
Hungary
- Education: The Dryer Workshop by dmb műterem Ltd.
Italy
- Mixed-use – Commercial & Offices: Bicocca Superlab by BALANCE ARCHITETTURA
- Culture: The Project of Time – Restoration of the Former Church of San Barbaziano by Studio Poggioli
Lithuania
- Culture: Stasys Museum by IMPLMNT Architects
Norway
- Mixed-use – Cultural & Social: Čoarvemátta – Sámi Theater, High School and Reindeer Herding School by 70°N arkitektur + Joar Nango + Snøhetta
- Landscape: Sundshopen – Norwegian Scenic Routes by Rever & Drage Architects
Poland
- Landscape: Warsaw Uprising Mound by TopoScape + Archigrest
Portugal
- Infrastructure: Graça Funicular by Atelier Bugio
Slovakia
- Education: Extension of a Primary School – New School Pavilion and Multipurpose Hall by BAKYTA ARCHITEKTI
Slovenia
- Culture: Temporary Spaces for Slovenian National Theatre Drama by Vidic Grohar Arhitekti
Spain
- Collective housing: GREENH@USE 140 Social Housing in 22@ BCN by peris+toral.arquitectes + L3J Tècnics Associats
- Urban planning: Plaça Major – Public Space. Heritage, Housing and Urban Life by Un Parell d’Arquitectes + Pep de Solà-Morales Arquitectes + Quim Domene
Sweden
- Culture: Stjärnorp Castle Ruin by Wikerstål Arkitekter / Tengbom Arkitekter
Tunisia
- Landscape: Land of Wells by Collective Bled el Abar
From this shortlist, the jury will select seven finalists in February 2026, and the winners of the Architecture Prize and one Emerging Architecture Prize will be announced in April 2026 in Oulu, one of the European Capitals of Culture for 2026. The official Awards Ceremony and public exhibition will follow in Barcelona’s Mies van der Rohe Pavilion during EUmies Awards Days in May.
To see the full shortlist and detailed project insights, visit the EUmies Awards
