In the “Architecture” category, the award went to the Charleroi Palais des Expositions by the Belgian firms AgwA and AJDVIV, while in the “Emerging Talents” category, the award went to the Temporary National Theatre by the Slovenian architectural firm Vidic Grohar Arhitekti. Both works highlight how contemporary architecture can inform local city policies by working with existing conditions, addressing sustainability, social equity, resilience, and cultural continuity.

In its statement explaining the award to the Temporary National Theatre, the seven-member international expert jury wrote:

»The adaptive reuse of a former industrial hall into the Temporary National Theatre is awarded for its ability to transform a temporary condition into a powerful and lasting architectural statement, activating an abandoned industrial complex into a vibrant cultural infrastructure. Through a series of precise, low-budget interventions, the project redefines the relationship between permanence and reuse, creating a sequence of flexible and inclusive spaces that expand the city’s cultural life while embracing material resourcefulness and adaptability.

The awards ceremony will take place at the Mies van der Rohe Pavilion in Barcelona as part of the EUmies Awards Days event (May 11–12, 2026). Both winners will receive a trophy and a cash prize of 60,000 and 30,000 euros, respectively.

About the EU Prize for Contemporary Architecture

The aim of the prize is to recognize and commend excellence and innovation in the field of architecture. It also highlights the significant contribution of European professionals to sustainable development and the transformation of the built environment in Europe.

The EU Prize for Contemporary Architecture/Mies van der Rohe Award (EUmies) is awarded every two years for works completed in the preceding two years by architects from countries participating in the Creative Europe program.

The EUmies Award is organized by the Fundació Mies van der Rohe with the support of the EU’s Creative Europe program.

Cover photo: Anja Vidic