Mies van der Rohe Award winner will be announced in Oulu
The winner of the EU Mies van der Rohe Award for Contemporary Architecture will be announced in the European Capital of Culture, Oulu, on 16 April. Follow the event via livestream.
The EU Prize for Contemporary Architecture is a biennial prize highlighting outstanding architectural works built across Europe.
The EUmies Awards are granted to single architectural works demonstrating excellence in conceptual, social, cultural and technical terms. They raise awareness of quality architecture and its contribution to the well-being of citizens and the sustainable development of European cities, towns and villages.
The award also includes the Emerging Architect category for young architects.
The EUmies Awards highlight the involvement of the European Union in supporting both the quality and diversity of European architectural expression, as well as its role in defining a common European culture.
The 2026 Winners – Architecture and Emerging – will be announced from Oulu, 2026 European Capital of Culture. The announcement will take place in the AaltoSiilo. The announcement on 16 April at 16:00 CET / 17:00 EET can be watched online here.
Finalists
After travelling around Europe visiting the finalist works and learning all about them, the members of this year’s jury, led by the Prizker 2026 laureate Smiljan Radić, will select the winner from among the five finalists.
In addition, there are two entries competing for the Emerging category award:
New directions for European architecture
The jury considers the 7 finalist projects of the EUmies Awards 2026 exemplary contributions to the future of European architecture. They show how architecture can respond to local conditions and broader societal challenges, creating inclusive, high-quality environments for living, learning, and gathering.
These works balance innovation with sensitivity to context. Some transform overlooked areas – industrial zones, small villages, or peripheral districts – while others intervene subtly in larger cities. In every case, architects are guided by a deep understanding of social, cultural, and environmental forces shaping contemporary life.
What unites them is a focus on the human dimension: architecture that enhances everyday life. Rigorous yet playful, experimental yet grounded, these projects demonstrate the enduring value of thoughtful design in a Europe facing political, environmental, and social challenges.
Of the Finnish entries, Tammela Stadium, designed by JKMM Architects, was the most successful, having been selected for the shortlist of the 40 best projects.
Read more about the finalists here.
