UvA University Library and De Nieuwe Meent Crowned Winners of the 2026 Amsterdam Architecture Prize
The Amsterdam Centre for Architecture (ARCAM) has announced the recipients of the Amsterdam Architecture Prize (AAP) 2026. On June 10, 2026, during a ceremony at Studio Wieman, the Universiteitsbibliotheek UvA (UvA University Library) and De Nieuwe Meent were honored for their significant contributions to Amsterdam’s built environment. These awards celebrate both outstanding architectural quality and their broader societal impact.
Discovering Amsterdam's Best New Architectural Projects
The prestigious professional jury prize was awarded to the Universiteitsbibliotheek UvA, a project by MVSA Architects in collaboration with Buro van Stigt, commissioned by the University of Amsterdam. The jury praised the library as an inspiring example of seamlessly integrating existing structures with new construction, thereby enhancing the city's quality. They highlighted this approach of topping, splitting, and internal expansion within established contexts as a blueprint for the future of urban development.
Concurrently, the public's choice, De Nieuwe Meent, secured the public prize. This innovative project was realized by Time to Access in collaboration with Office Raumplan for Vereniging de Nieuwe Meent. The public jury recognized De Nieuwe Meent as a crucial response to Amsterdam's increasing challenges of affordability and intensity. It represents an activist and pioneering community that demonstrates alternative approaches to urban living, offering hope through different organizational models for housing.
The Vision Behind the Winning Designs
The professional jury expressed profound admiration for the UvA University Library’s dedication to preserving a national monument and giving it a new purpose, creating a non-commercial study space in the heart of Amsterdam. They were particularly impressed by the convincing atmosphere and openness of the high, bright atrium, noting how new interventions magically transformed the historic Binnengasthuis. The glass canopy, described as a "tree (or leaf) of wisdom," naturally connects the old hospital buildings. The jury also commended the building's sustainable design, emphasizing its "sustainable freedom of function" where monumentality is preserved while allowing for future adaptability. For a more detailed perspective, the professional jury report for 2026 is available.
The public jury for De Nieuwe Meent was deeply moved by the project's careful consideration of community, building, and neighborhood. They saw it as a powerful counter-narrative to large-scale real estate development, showcasing how housing can be organized differently. The jury also applauded the architect's flexible design, which created an inclusive space for a diverse range of people. They expressed hope that De Nieuwe Meent would plant seeds for new ways of living in Amsterdam. The full insights from the public jury report for 2026 offer further details.
Explore the Nominated Architecture at ARCAM
For those interested in the broader scope of architectural innovation in the city, the ten nominated projects for the Amsterdam Architecture Prize 2026 are currently featured in an exhibition at ARCAM. Visitors have the opportunity to delve into the stories behind these designs, their clients, and their societal impact until August 30.
The Amsterdam Architecture Prize, organized annually by ARCAM since 2008, highlights the best buildings completed in Amsterdam within the preceding year. It serves as an important benchmark for the city's development and fosters public discussion on architecture. Both a professional jury and a public jury select winners from a shortlist of ten buildings, chosen by ARCAM and its independent Program Council based on spatial quality, function, urban distribution, and contemporary challenges.
To explore more cultural institutions and current happenings across Amsterdam, visit Musemap (musemap.art). You can browse museums in Amsterdam or discover what's on during your visit.
