The European Commission and Fundació Mies van der Rohe are pleased to announce the nominees and the jury for the 2026 edition of the European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture / Mies van der Rohe Awards (EUmies Awards), the most prestigious recognition of contemporary architecture in Europe.
This 19th cycle of the Prize, with the support of the European Union’s Creative Europe Programme, brings together 410 works from 40 countries and 143 regions, reflecting the diversity, creativity, and richness of Europe’s architectural landscape. Submitted by a broad network of national architectural associations, independent experts, and the Advisory Committee, the nominations showcase the most significant built works completed between May 2023 and April 2025.
From this list, the jury will identify a shortlist of 40 outstanding projects which will be announced in January 2026, narrowing it down to seven finalists the following month. In spring 2026, jury members will visit the sites of the finalists, engaging directly with architects, clients, users, and local communities. The winners in the Architecture and Emerging Architecture categories will then be unveiled in Oulu — one of the two 2026 European Capitals of Culture — in April 2026, celebrating projects that define the future of European architecture.
The 2026 jury unites internationally acclaimed architects and experts, chaired by the architect Smiljan Radić.
The panel includes:
1. Carl Bäckstrand (Sweden) – Deputy CEO of White Arkitekter, a leading voice in sustainable design and resilient cities.
2. Chris Briffa (Malta) – Founder of Chris Briffa Architects, known for sensitive contemporary interventions in Malta’s historic fabric.
3. Zaiga Gaile (Latvia) – Architect and conservationist, acclaimed for revitalising Riga’s wooden and industrial heritage.
4. Tina Gregorič (Slovenia) – Co-founder of Dekleva Gregorič Architects, recognised for context-driven, research-based design.
5. Nikolaus Hirsch (Germany/Belgium) – Architect, curator and educator, Artistic Director of CIVA in Brussels, co-founder of e-flux architecture.
6. Rosa Rull (Spain) – Co-founder of BAILORULL + ADD Arquitectura, whose research-based practice explores architecture as a continuous urban process.
By country, the 410 works are located in:
| France | 32 | Estonia | 9 |
| Spain | 24 | Latvia | 9 |
| Italy | 21 | Bulgaria | 8 |
| Slovenia | 16 | Georgia | 8 |
| Belgium | 15 | Netherlands | 8 |
| Greece | 14 | Sweden | 8 |
| Ireland | 14 | Luxembourg | 7 |
| Austria | 13 | Norway | 7 |
| Croatia | 13 | Serbia | 7 |
| Cyprus | 13 | Slovakia | 7 |
| Lithuania | 13 | Montenegro | 6 |
| Poland | 13 | North Macedonia | 6 |
| Ukraine | 13 | Malta | 6 |
| Germany | 12 | Iceland | 5 |
| Portugal | 12 | Kosovo | 5 |
| Romania | 12 | Armenia | 4 |
| Czech Republic | 11 | Albania | 3 |
| Hungary | 11 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 3 |
| Denmark | 10 | Moldova | 1 |
| Finland | 10 | Tunisia | 1 |
EUmies Awards Days 2026
The EUmies Awards Days will take place on 11 and 12 May 2026 in Barcelona, in the framework of Barcelona World Capital of Architecture 2026.
The events will include:
• The Awards Ceremony at the Mies van der Rohe Pavilion.
• Debates, conferences and presentations with winners, finalists, clients, and past participants.
• The exhibition of the EUmies Awards.
• The launch of the EUmies Awards Out&About programme, inviting citizens to visit shortlisted works across Europe.
Find out more here.
