Every two years, “Europe’s best Buildings” exhibition showcases extraordinary European architectural projects that are exemplary in the area of contemporary buildings.
The Mies van der Rohe Award, the European Union’s prize for contemporary architecture, is presented every two years. In 2017 it was awarded to two residential buildings for the first time: the main prize was awarded to De Flat Kleiburg in Amsterdam designed by NL Architects in collaboration with XVW Architectuur, and the Emerging Architect Prize was presented to the Navez project in Brussels by the architecture offices MSA und V+, which comprises five social housing units. They won in a competitive field against a total of 355 nominated projects from thirty-six European countries. A total of forty projects are on display in the exhibition, including those by renowned architects and set designers such as Rudy Ricciotti and Jerzy Kalina. On show are buildings that are exemplary in the field of contemporary architecture and reflect visions of future construction. The exhibition’s supporting programme consists of workshops and lectures on architecture and the future of social housing. Amongst others, Jean-Marc Simon, an architect from the award-winning firm MSA, will be present to give an insight into the Navez project. In addition to presenting other small projects designed by the studio, he will also address the economic and constructional limitations of social housing. The “Archikids” workshop is intended to familiarise children with the nature and use of various materials through practical work. Regular guided tours of the exhibition are also on offer to visitors.