EUmies Awards Finalists Revealed

The European Commission and the Fundació Mies van der Rohe, have revealed the seven finalists that will compete for the 2024 European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture / Mies van der Rohe Awards, 5 in the Architecture category and 2 in the Emerging category.

The jury considers that 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. Most of them transform and improve the cnditions of rather small communities in places that had gone through different processes of oblivion: former industrial areas and small rural villages. 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.

Among the selected finalists, two projects in the categories Mixed use – Infrastructure & Urban and Landscape, were selected.

– Square and Tourist Office, Piódão (PT)
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.”

© Frederico Martinho

– Hage, Lund (SE)
by Brendeland & Kristoffersen architects; Price & Myers (civil and structural engineering)

“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.
Currently, ‘Hage’ appears as an object in the landscape. The scale corresponds to the typical farmsteads in the area. In an open windswept landscape, Hage creates a calm environment and protection. A pause.
In time, when a new neighbourhood is gradually established around this public space, it will become a void in the city fabric. The first homes to be built next to Hage – designed by Catalan architects Flores & Prats – will form a direct conversation with ‘Hage’. Public spaces in the two buildings, including a communal kitchen, will look out onto ‘Hage’, creating a generous group of community spaces for all residents and visitors to enjoy.
We hope that the garden will grow along with the children who inhabit the new neighbourhood; that they hold birthday parties each year in Hage and create a memory-bank of family rituals that are framed by the garden.”