Josephine Baker – Marie-Jose PerecSports and Cultural Centre in La Bouëxière, France by onze04. Image credit: Juan Cardona
The shortlist for the 2026 European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture — Mies van der Rohe Award has been announced, with 40 works selected from 410 nominated projects. The shortlisted projects are spread across 26 cities in 18 European countries, with France leading the list with nine projects. Spain secured seven shortlisted entries, while Denmark has four.
The award, operated on a biennial cycle, recognizes projects completed within the last two years, chosen to “highlight and disseminate today’s shared culture of architecture in Europe through works that create high-quality living environments for everyone.”
The 40 projects comprising the 2026 shortlist were chosen by a jury comprised of President Smiljan Radić, Carl Bäckstrand, Chris Briffa, Zaiga Gaile, Tina Gregorič, Nikolaus Hirsch, and Rosa Rull.
“Architecture today should also surprise, inspire, and explore what is possible,” Gregorič said. “The most compelling works combine innovation with respect for existing structures, materials, and communities. By rethinking regeneration, reuse, and collective housing, we can create architecture that not only serves people but also expands the creative potential of our profession.”
Finalists will be announced in February, with the winners announced in April. In May, a day-long event on EU Mies Award Day will see lectures by the architects of the winning and finalist works at the Mies van der Rohe Pavilion in Barcelona.
Below, we have set out a selection of the shortlisted projects in no particular order, chosen instead to reflect the broad range of typologies contained within the shortlist. The full list is available here.
Public Swimming PooL Großfeldsiedlung, Vienna, Austria, by illiz architektur. Image credit: Herta Hurnaus
Abby Kortrijk, Kortrijk, Belgium by Barozzi Veiga Tab Architects. Image credit: Simone Marcolin
Gruž Market, Dubrovnik, Croatia by Peračić-Veljačić / ARP. Image credit: Dragan Novaković-Pixel
Multifunctional Hall in Imperial Spa, Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic by Petr Hájek ARCHITEKTI. Image credit: Benedikt Markel
Thoravej 29, Copenhagen, Denmark by pihlmann architects. Image credit: Hampus Berndtson
Tammela Stadium, Tampere, Finland by JKMM Architects. Image credit: Tuomas Uusheimo
Multi-Service Cultural Centre Le Foirail, Laguiole, France by Betillon & Freyermuth* Crypto Architectes. Image credit: Maxime Delvaux
The Dryer Workshop, Debrecen, Hungary by dmb műterem Ltd. Image credit: Gyorgy Palko
Bicocca Superlab, Milan, Italy by BALANCE ARCHITETTURA. Image credit: Filip Dujardin
Stasys Museum, Panevėžys, Lithuania by IMPLMNT Architects. Image credit: Norbert Tukaj
Čoarvemátta – Sámi Theater, High School and Reindeer Herding School, Kautokeino, Norway by 70°N arkitektur, Joar Nango, Snøhetta. Image credit: Lars Petter Pettersen-Snøhetta
Warsaw Uprising Mound, Warsaw, Poland by TopoScape, Archigrest. Image credit: Archigrest, topoScape
Graça Funicular, Lisbon, Portugal byAtelier Bugio. Image credit: Alexander Bogorodskiy
Extension of a Primary School – New School Pavilion and Multipurpose Hall, Bernolákovo, Slovakia by BAKYTA ARCHITEKTI. Image credit: Matej Hakár
Temporary Spaces for Slovenian National Theatre Drama, Ljubljana, Slovenia by Vidic Grohar Arhitekti. Image credit: Maxime Delvaux
Interventions in the Monestry of Santa Maria de Sijena, Villanueva de Sigena, Spain by Pemán y Franco, Sebastián Arquitectos. Image credit: Iñaki Bergera
Stjärnorp Castle Ruin, Linköping, Sweden by Wikerstål Arkitekter, Tengbom Arkitekter. Image credit: Wikerstål Arkitekter
Some current competitions on Bustler that may interest you…
Pavilion Atlas 2026
Register by Wed, Jan 21, 2026
Submit by Mon, Oct 19, 2026
Architecture at Zero Competition 2026
Register/Submit by Mon, Jun 1, 2026
Re:Form / Edition #2
Register by Wed, Feb 4, 2026
Submit by Mon, Mar 9, 2026
100,000 € Prize / Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2026
Register by Thu, Feb 26, 2026
Submit by Tue, Oct 20, 2026