Architecture that enhances the quality of users’ everyday lives will once again take centre stage in the international design debate. The 6th edition of the Living Places – Simon Architecture Prize 2026 competition, organised by the Simon brand in collaboration with the Fundació Mies van der Rohe, has now been launched. Kontakt-Simon encourages Polish architects to submit projects that demonstrate contemporary thinking about spaces for living, working, learning and relaxation.
Living Places – Simon Architecture Prize is an international competition which, for many years, has recognised projects that prioritise people and their experiences. The organisers are seeking projects that not only meet aesthetic needs but, above all, foster comfort and build relationships between users and their surroundings. This year’s edition will cover projects completed between 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2025, located across Europe, as well as in Mexico, Brazil and Morocco.
Living Places is a competition that very deliberately addresses the issue of quality in architecture. It does not focus solely on form, but above all on how architecture responds to contemporary social challenges. It is worth noting that the jury has for years recognised projects that demonstrate social engagement – those that genuinely improve quality of life, foster social connections and address issues related to social exclusion, education, health and climate change. In previous years, there has been enormous interest in the competition from Polish architectural practices. “We believe that this year we will see even more entries that demonstrate how architecture genuinely influences the quality of everyday life ,” emphasises Marcin Oleszczuk, Director of the Design Market at Kontakt-Simon.
Two categories – shared and personal experiences of space
The competition is divided into two main categories: Collective Places and Personal Places. The first covers shared and public spaces, such as schools, squares, multi-family buildings, parks and cultural venues. The second focuses on more intimate and individual architecture, linked to privacy and everyday life. The organisers emphasise that the boundary between the categories is not rigid. What matters most is the way in which architecture responds to the needs of users and the community.
An international jury with a Polish flavour
This year’s edition of the competition will be judged by an international jury comprising five experts in the field of architecture. The jury also includes a Polish representative, Wojciech Mazan, an architect based in Wrocław and co-founder of the PROLOG studio. Mazan’s presence on the jury further highlights the growing standing of Polish architecture on the international stage and the importanceof ourarchitects in the discourse on the quality of space.
A prize of 10,000 euros is up for grabs
In each of the two categories, the jury will select five finalists and one winner. The designers of the winning projects will receive a cash prize of 10,000 euros. In addition, a special mention will be awarded for the best audiovisual presentation of an architectural project. Entry to the competition is completely free of charge. Projects may be submitted by architects either individually or as part of a team. Importantly, projects may also be recommended by developers, building users, colleagues or residents.
Each architect may submit a maximum of four completed projects. The process consists of two stages: pre-registration and full registration, including the submission of competition materials online via the website www.simonprize.org.An integral part of the submission is a video of up to three minutes’ duration showcasing the atmosphere and life of the building, as well as a project description, drawings and photographic documentation.
Key dates
Project registration is open until 14 September 2026. The deadline for submitting the full documentation is 5 October 2026; the jury’s verdict will be announced in November, and the finalists will be revealed in December 2026. The final gala and the announcement of the winners will take place in February 2027.
Detailed information and the competition rules are available at: www.simonprize.org.
source: press materials
See also: Interiors | Details | Interesting facts | Recommended | Events
