The EUmies Awards have unveiled 410 nominated architectural works from across Europe for their 2026 edition, representing projects from 40 countries and 143 regions. The prestigious awards program, organized annually by the Fundació Mies van der Rohe and the European Commission with support from the European Union's Creative Europe Programme, has also announced its international jury panel led by renowned Chilean architect Smiljan Radić.
This 19th cycle of the Prize operates under the fundamental principle that "architecture is not merely a technical or aesthetic matter, but a cultural, environmental, and democratic issue." The selection demonstrates Europe's commitment to celebrating contemporary architecture that reflects core European values including cultural diversity, sustainability, democracy, and solidarity.
The nominated projects span a diverse range of building types, with residential architecture leading the categories. A total of 23 nominated works are residential projects, encompassing both collective and single-family housing developments. Cultural projects follow closely with 13 nominations, while educational architecture accounts for 12 nominated works. This distribution highlights the continued focus on addressing fundamental human needs through innovative design.
The selection reveals an interesting balance between architectural approaches, with 44% of nominated projects representing transformations of existing buildings and 56% featuring new construction. This nearly equal split demonstrates the growing importance of adaptive reuse and sustainable building practices in contemporary European architecture. Additionally, 12 of the nominees are transnational works that cross national boundaries, reflecting the increasingly collaborative nature of European architectural practice.
A notable aspect of this year's nominations is the strong representation of emerging practices, with 33 of the nominated studios being 10 years old or younger. This significant presence of young firms underscores the growing visibility and recognition of emerging architectural talent across Europe and highlights the awards' role in promoting new voices in the field.
The 2026 EUmies Awards jury brings together distinguished professionals from across Europe and beyond. Chaired by Chilean architect Smiljan Radić, the panel includes Carl Bäckstrand from Sweden, who serves as Deputy CEO of White Arkitekter and is recognized as a leading voice in sustainable design and resilient cities. Chris Briffa from Malta, founder of Chris Briffa Architects, brings expertise in contemporary interventions within historic urban fabric, particularly Malta's rich architectural heritage.
The jury also features Zaiga Gaile from Latvia, an architect and conservationist acclaimed for her work in revitalizing Riga's wooden and industrial heritage. Tina Gregorič from Slovenia, co-founder of Dekleva Gregorič Architects, is recognized for her context-driven, research-based design approach. Nikolaus Hirsch from Germany and Belgium serves as an architect, curator, and educator who is the artistic director of CIVA in Brussels and co-founder of e-flux architecture.
Completing the panel is Rosa Rull from Spain, co-founder of BAILORULL + ADD Arquitectura, whose research-based practice explores architecture as a continuous urban process. This diverse group of jurors brings together varied perspectives on contemporary architectural practice, sustainable design, heritage conservation, and urban development.
The awards celebrate contemporary architecture at an international scale, with works submitted through a comprehensive network that includes national architectural associations, independent experts, and the Awards Advisory Committee. All nominated projects represent significant built works completed between May 2023 and April 2025, ensuring the recognition of the most recent developments in European architecture.
The selection process will continue with the jury reviewing all 410 nominees to create a shortlist of 40 projects, which will be announced in January 2026. From this shortlist, seven finalists will be selected and announced in February 2026. The evaluation process emphasizes direct engagement, with jury members planning to visit each finalist's site in spring 2026 to engage directly with architects, clients, users, and local communities.
The winners in both the Architecture and Emerging Architecture categories will be unveiled in April 2026 in Oulu, which serves as one of the two European Capitals of Culture that year. This location choice reflects the awards' commitment to celebrating architectural excellence across all of Europe, including regions that may receive less international attention.
The formal Awards Ceremony will take place at the iconic Mies van der Rohe Pavilion in Barcelona during the EUmies Awards Days on May 11 and 12, 2026. These celebration days will transform the Pavilion into a hub of architectural discourse, hosting debates, conferences, and presentations featuring winners, finalists, clients, and past participants. The events will also include a comprehensive projects exhibition and the launch of the EUmies Awards OutAbout program, which invites citizens across Europe to visit and experience the shortlisted works in their local contexts.
The nominated projects represent the breadth and diversity of contemporary European architecture, spanning from large-scale urban interventions to intimate residential projects. Notable examples include the Anne Frank Middle School Renovation by MARS architectes in France, the COAF Child and Family Centre by Alberto Campo Baeza in Armenia, and the Čoarvemátta Sámi Theater, High School and Reindeer Herding School by 70N arkitektur, Joar Nango, and Snøhetta in Norway.
The comprehensive list of nominees showcases architectural innovation across all European regions, from Albania's Red House by Pacarizi Studio to Ukraine's Memorial to Ukrainian Intelligence Officers by Nazar Bilyk and Guess Line Architects. This geographic diversity demonstrates the awards' success in identifying and celebrating architectural excellence regardless of location or project scale, reinforcing architecture's role as a universal language that addresses local needs while contributing to broader cultural discourse.
