On April 16, 2026, the EU Mies Awards announced winners that shared one strong idea: good architecture does not always start with a new building. The Architecture Prize went to Charleroi Palais des Expositions in Belgium, and the Emerging Architecture Prize went to Temporary Spaces for the Slovenian National Theatre Drama in Ljubljana, Slovenia. The jury said this year’s award highlights architecture that works with what already exists, putting “repair, reuse, and adaptation” at the center. These winners were chosen from 410 nominated works. (archdaily.com)

The Belgian winner shows this idea clearly. Charleroi Palais des Expositions is a renovation of a 1950s convention center. Instead of destroying the old structure, the architects kept much of it and changed it carefully. The central hall became covered outdoor terraces, the south wing became a parking area, and a three-level garden was created inside the building. The project also reused demolished parts as urban furniture. The official project text says “respectful reuse” guided the design and helped balance economy, ecology, and beauty. (eumiesawards.com)

The Emerging winner in Slovenia is also a smart example of reuse. Architects turned former industrial halls from the 1960s into a temporary home for the Slovenian National Theatre while its historic main building is being renovated. The project was completed in 10 months with a limited budget. It uses recycled or reusable materials, including large wooden panels that can later be taken apart and used again in another building. It also brings theatre, public space, and new life to an old industrial area of the city. (eumiesawards.com)

For English learners, a useful phrase here is “adaptive reuse.” It means giving an old building a new job. The 2026 EU Mies Awards show why this matters. Old buildings are not only pieces of history. With care and imagination, they can become fresh, useful, and beautiful places again. (archdaily.com)