The
European Commission and the
Fundació Mies van der Rohe have announced the seven finalist projects for the 2026 European Union Prize for Contemporary
Architecture -
Mies van der Rohe Awards, supported by the European Union's Creative Europe programme. The selection follows
the announcement of 410 nominated works in November and
a shortlist of 40 projects revealed in early January. Of the seven finalists, five have been selected in the Architecture category and two in the Emerging category. According to the jury chaired by
Smiljan Radić, the finalist projects are exemplary contributions to the future of European architecture, demonstrating how the discipline can respond simultaneously to specific local conditions and broader social, cultural, and environmental challenges. The selected works range from interventions in former industrial sites, small villages, and peripheral urban areas to carefully calibrated projects within larger cities. Across these varied contexts, the projects show how architecture can transform overlooked or ordinary settings into inclusive, high-quality spaces for living, learning, and social exchange.