40 projects shortlisted for 2026 EU Mies van der Rohe Award

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.