The European Commission and the Fundació Mies van der Rohe announce the 40 shortlisted works for the 2026 European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture / Mies van der Rohe Awards. This year’s edition, supported by the European Union’s Creative Europe Programme, received 410 nominations, which were thoroughly analysed and discussed by the international jury. The 40 shortlisted works exemplify how architects are responding to the responsibility of designing ethically, sustainably, and with long-term social impact.
The shortlisted works span 36 cities across 30 regions and 18 countries, illustrating the diversity of contemporary architecture in Europe and beyond. Austria hosts 1 work (Vienna); Belgium has 3 (Charleroi, Kortrijk, and Ixelles); Croatia features 2 (Dubrovnik and Zagreb); the Czech Republic hosts 1 (Karlovy Vary); and Denmark has 4 (Copenhagen-4). Finland hosts 1 (Tampere), while France features 9 works (Laguiole, Arles, La Bouëxière, Lit-et-Mixe, Vannes, Paris, Châtenay-Malabry, Arpajon, and Sallanches). Hungary has 1 work (Debrecen); Italy hosts 2 (Milan and Bologna); Lithuania features 1 (Panevėžys); Norway has 2 (Kautokeino and Sømna); Poland hosts 1 (Warsaw); Portugal features 1 (Lisbon); Slovakia has 1 (Bernolákovo); Slovenia hosts 1 (Ljubljana); Spain features 7 (Barcelona-2, Logroño, Olot, Palencia, Terrassa and Villanueva de Sigena), Sweden has 1 (Linköping) and Tunisia has 1 work (Kébili Governorate).
The 40 shortlisted works represent 15 different programmes, including culture (8), mixed use (6), education (5), landscape (4), single houses (3), and sport and leisure (3), alongside works addressing collective housing, infrastructure, urban planning, ephemeral architecture, health, industrial facilities, social welfare, and commerce. They encompass 21 regeneration works, 17 new constructions, and 2 extensions, illustrating the diverse strategies through which contemporary architecture addresses social, cultural, and environmental challenges.
Among the shortlisted works, 23 were commissioned by public clients, 12 by private clients, and 5 as mixed public-private partnerships (PPPs). Public investment continues to play a crucial role in shaping architecture that serves the wider community. Public works often provide the most ambitious opportunities for experimentation and innovation, while private and mixed commissions explore specialized programmes and alternative approaches.
Among the 40 works, 28 were designed by studios located in the same region as the work, emphasizing the value of local knowledge and engagement. Two works are transnational, involving multiple studios from different countries, each with a local team collaborating with an international partner. The remaining 10 works are transregional, designed by studios working outside the region of the work. This balance demonstrates both the strength of local expertise and the creative potential of cross-regional and international collaboration.
The EUmies Awards Days will take place on 11 and 12 May 2026 in Barcelona, within the framework of Barcelona World Capital of Architecture 2026. Events will include: the Awards Ceremony at the Mies van der Rohe Pavilion; debates, conferences, and presentations with winners, finalists, clients, and past participants; the EUmies Awards exhibition; and the launch of the EUmies Awards Out&About programme.
