7 Best Buildings in Europe Built in the Last 2 Years

Recently, the European Commission and the Mies van der Rohe Foundation announced a list of seven finalist projects competing for the title of Best Building in the European Union. All of them participate in the Mies van der Rohe Award — the main European architecture award.

Experts named five finalists in the "Architecture" category, and two more projects emerged as leaders among "Developing Architecture" — a nomination for works by young architectural bureaus. We showcase stunning buildings that should serve as exemplary models for European cities.

85 Social Housing Units, Cornellà de Llobregat

The project was developed by the architectural firm peris+toral.arquitectes. The new building, covering 10,000 square meters, houses 85 units of social housing distributed across five levels.

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Wood was used for construction, and the building's standout feature is the absence of corridors — a design choice that maximizes usable space efficiency.

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Frizz23, Berlin

The collective office for creative and cultural professionals was designed by architects Britta Jürgens and Matthew Griffin. Future residents became developers who participated in the project's development.

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Frizz23 and the processes behind it outline a new approach to urban development that can serve as a model for other buildings and cities. The architects followed the principle of "dialogue before design": they maintained constant contact with users, the city, and local residents during planning.

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The building is interesting both inside and out. By the way, the dark blue anodized aluminum cladding references the planet Neptune, which was first seen through a telescope at the observatory located on this site before 1912.

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The Railway Farm, Paris

Architects Gyan Yu and Melanie Druve designed an urban farm on the site of a former railway. The building combines several functions: it grows plants and also processes organic waste from the surrounding area.

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Additionally, the premises include a restaurant where visitors can taste farm products and dishes made by partner farmers.

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Ecological considerations were given attention during construction: the building is primarily made of wood and uses recyclable materials.

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Town House, London

Architects from Grafton Architects presented a new form of democratic educational space, open to all. Here, reading, dancing, research, performances, lectures, and exhibitions coexist under one roof.

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Creators propose a creative approach to education as a process of engagement and discovery. The library is adjacent to dance studios, performance spaces, and event venues.

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Every detail is carefully planned to create a sense of unity, and views from upper levels offer breathtaking cityscapes.

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Z33 House for Contemporary Art, Design and Architecture, Hasselt

The architect behind this remarkable project is Francesca Torzo. The "House for Contemporary Art, Design and Architecture" represents a new museum wing integrated into the surrounding urban space.

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Z33 harmonizes with existing buildings around it, echoing the unique character of their facades. Exhibition halls and hidden gardens form a complete spatial maze.

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The building can be described as a full-fledged city within a city.

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Enrico Fermi School, Turin

The Italian architectural firm BDR Bureau was responsible for the school's renovation, built in the 1960s. The building was reimagined based on new needs.

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Previously, the school had poor connection with the outside environment, and internal spaces were inefficiently used. The renovation strategy involved reorganizing the site to make the school more open to the city.

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Now it's a large, green, and accessible space: public events are held on the first floor.

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La Borda, Barcelona

Lacol cooperative designed collective housing with small apartments and shared zones — kitchens, living rooms, laundry areas, and storage spaces. Inside are 28 flats with sizes of 40, 60, and 75 square meters.

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The six-story structure is built using cross-laminated timber, a lightweight and high-quality material.

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Currently, La Borda is the tallest wooden building in Spain.

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