The new Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Berlin, designed by JEMS Architekci, has been nominated for the prestigious EU Mies Awards 2026. This is one of the most important prizes in European architecture, awarded since 1987 by the European Commission and the Mies van der Rohe Foundation. The award goes every two years to the authors of the best projects completed during that time.
So far in the history of the competition, only one Polish building has won the main prize. This was the Mieczysław Karłowicz Philharmonic Hall in Szczecin, designed by the Spanish studio Barozzi Veiga.
Mies van der Rohe Award
The Mies van der Rohe Award aims to promote the achievements of European architects and to highlight the importance of architecture as a space for the exchange of ideas and community building. Nominations are made by the national architectural associations and an advisory committee working with the foundation. The selection process involves several stages. In January 2026, a list of 40 projects will be announced that will advance to the semi-finals. In February, five finalists will be announced and the name of the winner will be revealed in April.
Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Berlin
The new Polish Embassy is located on Unter den Linden avenue, adjacent to the Brandenburg Gate. The building opened at the beginning of 2025 and has since attracted the attention of every passer-by, as it is impossible to pass it indifferently. The building has quickly become a model example of contemporary diplomatic architecture and a showpiece of Poland in the heart of Berlin. Its form is distinguished by its restraint and elegance, fitting in perfectly with the character of the historic avenue. JEMS architects have created a design that presents harmony with a clear reference to Polish identity.
History of Unter den Linden 70-72
The plot of land at Unter den Linden 70-72 was handed over to Poland in 1964 by the GDR authorities. Previously, the Ministry of the Interior of the Kingdom of Prussia was located there, destroyed during the Second World War. In the post-war era, the modernist PRL Embassy building, designed by Emil Leybold and Christian Seyfahrt, was built in its place. A characteristic element of that structure was the garage door by Fritz Kühn, decorated with 224 aluminium lime leaves and a sparrow figure. This element has been retained and incorporated into the new building.
Design by JEMS Architekci
The competition for the new embassy building was awarded in 2012. The winning concept was to create a modern, representative headquarters with a rhythmic façade and a clear structure. The old building was demolished in 2016 and, after obtaining all the necessary permits, the project began. The façade of the new embassy combines simplicity and sophistication. The subtle play of vertical divisions creates changing perspectives depending on the angle of view. The transparent part of the façade reveals an inner courtyard with Polish and European Union flags.
The former building at 70-72 Unter den Linden and the new embassy. Photo by Marcin Sadowski, JEMS and Jörg Zägel, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Polish Embassy in Berlin – interiors and symbolism
The layout of the embassy’s rooms reflects the dialogue between light and space. The rhythmic repetition of structural elements gives the interior a dynamic feel and promotes the penetration of natural light. The building has been designed flexibly to serve both official events and meetings of a more intimate nature. The interior design shows inspiration from Polish Modernism. The juxtaposition of raw concrete with natural wood and the use of domestic design furniture creates a coherent composition with a warm, friendly character.
Architecture of light from JEMS Architekci
After dark, the building takes on a whole new expression. The subtle illumination emphasises the structure of the façade and gives it lightness. The light brings out architectural details, creating a striking play of shadows. As project co-author Izabela Leple-Migdalska emphasises, light is an integral part of the composition and enhances the emotional perception of the architecture.
The nomination of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Berlin for the EU Mies Awards 2026 confirms the high rank of this project among European realisations of recent years and is proof of the growing position of Polish architects on the international scene. We keep our fingers crossed for the JEMS Architekci studio!
photos: whiteMAD editorial team
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