We know the finalists of the 2026 Mies van der Rohe Award!

The final five projects for the EU Mies van der Rohe Awards - one of the most important and prestigious distinctions in contemporary European architecture - have been announced. From hundreds of projects across Europe, the jury selected five that will compete for the main prize during the final ceremony in Barcelona:

1. Palais des Expositions - Charleroi (Belgium) - the transformation of an exhibition center into a public space.
2. Renovation of Vapor Cortès - Prodis 1923 (Spain / Terrassa) - the conversion of a former factory into an inclusive center.
3. LUMA Arles (France) - architects: the project transforms a 19th-century railway warehouse into a design laboratory.
4. Josephine Baker and Marie-José Pérec Sports and Cultural Centre (France / Brittany) - a sports and cultural facility strongly rooted in its local context.
5. Gruž Market (Croatia / Dubrovnik) - architects: ARP / Peračić-Veljačić - a municipal market project in the historic city center.

Although no projects from Poland made it to the final shortlist, Polish architecture was strongly represented at the nomination stage this year. Thirteen projects from Poland appeared on the longlist, recognized for architectural quality, social context, and spatial sensitivity. Among the nominated projects were:

Ajnfart in Rybnik - designed by SLAS Architekci
Stefan Żeromski Theatre in Kielce - designed by WXCA
Columbarium in Radom - designed by BDR Architekci
Educational Building in the Marszewo Forest Botanical Garden in Gdynia - designed by Gierbienis + Poklewski
OKO - Interactive Fairy Tale and Animation Center in Bielsko-Biała - designed by Nizio Design International
Headquarters of the Zagłębie Chamber of Commerce in Dąbrowa Górnicza - designed by MWArchitekci
House of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in Warsaw - designed by XYstudio
“Burza” Action Park at the Warsaw Uprising Mound in Warsaw - designed by Archigrest / topoScape
Widna 2A Marina in Gdynia - Neighbourhood Centre - designed by PB / Studio, StudioMania, Ipreferanalog
Library in Choszczówka, Warsaw - designed by Ambient
EcoFarm in Wólka Konopna - designed by Grupa Arche
Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Berlin - designed by JEMS Architekci
Museum of Modern Art in Warsaw - designed by Thomas Phifer and Partners in cooperation with APA Wojciechowski
Visitor Service Centre of the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum in Oświęcim - designed by Kozień Architekci

The EU Mies van der Rohe Awards is not only a competition of form, but also a barometer of the directions shaping European architecture - socially sensitive, context-driven, and responsive to contemporary challenges. The presence of Polish projects among the nominees confirms that Polish architecture consistently maintains a high standard and remains visible on the European stage.