The European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture – Mies van der Rohe Award will exceptionally be presented outside Barcelona in 2026. The winners will be announced in Oulu at Aaltosiilo on Thursday, April 16, 2026. The event can be followed via livestream.
Established in 1988, the prize is considered the most prestigious recognition for contemporary architecture in Europe. It is managed by the Fundació Mies van der Rohe in cooperation with the European Commission. Traditionally, the award has been announced at the Mies van der Rohe Pavilion in Barcelona.
At the event in Aaltosiilo in Oulu, the 2026 winners will be revealed. The programme includes the official announcement, short speeches by international and Finnish architecture influencers, and a panel discussion focusing on the future of cultural heritage and architecture.
The livestream can be watched on the EUmies Awards YouTube channel on Thursday, April 16, starting at 17:00 Finnish time.
Aaltosiilo is an iconic symbol of Oulu’s industrial and architectural heritage. Designed by the Finnish architect Alvar Aalto, this cathedral-like structure was part of the Toppila Pulp Mill for most of the 20th century, serving as a key element in a major paper production facility.
Work is currently underway to transform the former industrial silo into a unique art venue, demonstrating an example of the adaptive reuse of modernist industrial architecture. The project represents a broader cultural transformation achieved through architectural intervention, repositioning industrial heritage as contemporary cultural infrastructure.
Oulu and its 39 partner municipalities celebrate the European Capital of Culture year 2026.
