The European Commission and the Mies van der Rohe Foundation have revealed the seven finalists that will compete for the 2024 European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture - Mies van der Rohe Awards.

7 finalists will compete in the Architecture category, while 2 finalists will compete in the Emerging category. The 7 finalists were choosen from the 40 shortlisted projects which was announced in January. 

The 5 Architecture finalist works are the Plato Contemporary Art Gallery in Ostrava, Czech Republic) by KWK Promes, the Study Pavilion on the Campus of the Technical University of Braunschweig, Lower Saxony, Deutschland by Gustav Düsing & Max Hacke, the Reggio School in Madrid, Spain by Andres Jaque's Office for Political Innovation, the Rebirth of the Convent Saint-François in Sainte-Lucie-de-Tallano / Santa Lucia de Tallà, France by Amelia Tavella Architectes, and the Häge in Lund, Sweeden by Brendeland & Kristoffersen architects.

The 2 Emerging finalist works are the Gabriel García Márquez Library in Barcelona, Spain by SUMA arquitectura and the Square and Tourist Office in Piódão, Portugal by Branco del Rio.

"Seven finalist works encourage and become references for local city policies which can become global European models" 

According to the jury, the 7 finalist works "encourage and become references for local city policies which can become global European models, because they all create high-quality inclusive living environments."

The seven jury members are comprised of Frédéric Druot, Martin Braathen, Pippo Ciorra, Tinatin Gurgenidze, Adriana Krnáčová, Sala Makumbundu, and Hrvoje Njiric. 

"Most of them transform and improve the conditions of rather small communities in places that had gone through different processes of oblivion: former industrial areas and small rural villages," said the jury members. 

"Those works in bigger cities are implemented in rather peripheric areas, building strong associations with the existing neighbourhoods." 

"The seven works exceed the paradigm of sustainability and dignify everyday architecture, the places where we inhabit and learn, where we meet and discuss and enjoy ourselves," the jury members added.

"Nowadays it is often difficult to achieve excellence in built architecture"

"Society is often underestimating what good and clever architecture can do, on so many levels. To promote how architecture work is a very important part of architectural communication, to explain the many ways architecture can be, and how architectural thinking can be involved in solving many complex issues. That is what this selection shows," said Martin Braathen Architect and Senior Curator of Architecture at the National Museum, Oslo. 

"Nowadays it is often difficult to achieve excellence in built architecture due to the many constraints to which it is subjected. Knowing how to keep the focus on quality and achieve it is a great challenge and an achievement that should be recognised," said Sala Makumbundu Architect and partner at Christian Bauer & Associés Architectes (CBA) in Luxembourg.

The European Commission and the Mies van der Rohe Foundation will announce the Architecture and Emerging Winners in mid-April.

The EUmies Awards Day, which includes the Awards Ceremony, will take place on 14 May 2024, at the Mies van der Rohe Pavilion in Barcelona and Palau Victòria Eugènia.

A day-long- event will include lectures by the authors of the winning and finalist works, discussions with the architects, clients, policymakers and jury members. Moreover, the event will present an exhibition showcasing the 362 works participating in the EUmies Awards 2024, and the events of the Barcelona Architecture Weeks.

Read on to know more about the 7 finalists:

Plato Contemporary Art Gallery, Moravia-Silesia, Czech Republic by KWK Promes. Photography © Jan Antos, Plato Contemporary Art Gallery

Plato Contemporary Art Gallery, Moravia-Silesia, Czech Republic by KWK Promes

"By saving a historic building and turning it into an art gallery, we have introduced a solution that makes art more democratic. By rotating the walls in an unusual way, it goes outside the building. We transformed the space around the gallery, which had previously been contaminated, into a biodiverse art park for the benefit of residents."

Study Pavilion on the campus of the Technical University of Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany by Gustav Düsing & Max Hacke. Photography © Iwan Baan

Study Pavilion on the campus of the Technical University of Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany by Gustav Düsing & Max Hacke

"The new build Study-Pavilion on the grounds of the Technical University Braunschweig is an open space concept designed to accommodate various student activities. The concept follows the principle of a super-structure which allows the user to change and re-configurate the layout of the building in order to meet the ever-changing requirements in a fast-developing campus context. Through high flexibility in layout, the Pavilion becomes ephemeral and thus responsive, ensuring a long-lasting relevance as a new type of campus building."

Reggio School, Madrid, Spain by Andres Jaque's Office for Political Innovation. Photography © José Hevia

Reggio School, Madrid, Spain by Andres Jaque's Office for Political Innovation

"The design, construction and use of the Reggio School is intended to exceed the paradigm of sustainability to engage with ecology as an approach where environmental impact, more-than-human alliances, material mobilization, collective governance and pedagogies intersect through architecture."

Rebirth of the Convent Saint-François, Corsica, France by Amelia Tavella Architectes. Photography © Thibaut Dini

Rebirth of the Convent Saint-François, Corsica, France by Amelia Tavella Architectes

"This building, built in 1480, listed as a historical monument, partially in ruins, was dormant. The architect had to rebuild it without separating from the vestiges of the past. “I believe in higher and invisible forces. Housed in a height, on its promontory, it was a defensive castle before being a place of prayer, of retreat, chosen by monks aware of the absolute beauty of the site. Faith rallies to the sublime."

Hage, Scania County, Sweden by Brendeland & Kristoffersen architects. Photography © Thomas Skinnemoen

Hage, Scania County, Sweden by Brendeland & Kristoffersen architects

"Hage” is a high-quality public space that should both work as a short-term space for public discussion, events and workshops, while also, in a long-term perspective, offer a meditative, beautiful urban space and garden at the heart of a new neighbourhood. Open to everyone, it is a response to the question of how to build a new community: start with social space."

The 2 Emerging finalists

Gabriel García Márquez Library, Catalonia, Spain by SUMA arquitectura. Photography © Jesús Granada

Gabriel García Márquez Library, Catalonia, Spain by SUMA arquitectura

"The García Márquez is a pioneering and landmark library that culminates a three-decade plan building these facilities in Barcelona. It serves a working class and vindictive neighbourhood, lacking significant investment for years, that demanded its "people's palace" ever since."

Square and Tourist Office, Central Portugal, Portugal by Branco del Rio. Photography © Frederico Martinho

Square and Tourist Office, Central Portugal, Portugal by Branco del Rio

"The only flat and open area of the steeped village of Piódão is given back its dignity as welcoming lobby and gathering place. What was previously a parking lot has been redesigned, paved, and partially shaded using traditional materials and techniques. The space was given back to its people following their material and constructive culture."

Top image in the article: Plato Contemporary Art Gallery, Moravia-Silesia, Czech Republic by KWK Promes. Photography © Jakub Certowicz.

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