Announcement of the 2026 Winners
April 16, 2026
The 2026 Winners – Architecture and Emerging – will be announced from Oulu, 2026 European Capital of Culture, on 16 April at 16:00 CET / 17:00 EET (Oulu). The announcement will take place in the Aalto Silo.
The AaltoSiilo (Alvar and Aino Aalto, 1931) sits at the edge of the Arctic Circle in Oulu and is locally known as ‘The Fang of Toppila’, stirring divisive opinions among the city’s residents and authorities; while some appreciate its distinctively brutal silhouette and architectural heritage, others have been averse to its imposing presence.
Alongside the Factum Foundation and Aalto Foundation, Skene Catling de la Peña is undertaking the ambitious regeneration of Alvar and Aino Aalto’s first industrial structure, built in 1931. Once a sulfite cellulose factory and a silo for storing wood chips, the brutalist relic in northern Finland is being revitalised as a research center promoting architectural preservation and reuse. Plans for completion in 2026 are aligned with Oulu’s celebrations for its European Culture Capital year, with the broader community-driven goals for this new chapter already echoed in the ongoing cultural events at the site.
Beyond its architectural ambitions, the project forms a core chapter in Oulu’s plans as the European Capital of Culture in 2026. Through reimagining the silo and its surroundings, the renovation seeks to create a sustained impact on both the local economy and community, turning the Meri Toppila area marked by diverse and transient demographics into a cultural landmark.
The EUmies Awards Days will take place on 11 and 12 May 2026 in Barcelona, both at the Barcelona Pavilion and Palau Victòria Eugènia. The events will include:
· The Awards Ceremony
· The Talks, Debates and Workshops curated by PostOffice
· Out&About in Barcelona organised by Guiding Architects