The European Commission and the Mies van der Rohe Foundation have announced the six finalists competing for the 2011 European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture, the Mies van der Rohe Award. In this occasion, these six finalists have been shortlisted from 343 works in 33 European countries.

Launched in 1987 the European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture Mies van der Rohe is an initiative of the European Commission funded under EU Culture Programme, which is organised by the Fundació Mies van der Rohe. As well as highlighting excellence in contemporary buildings, the Prize highlights the contribution to the development of new ideas and technologies in urban development.

The 60.000 euro prize is the most prestigious award in European architecture and is awarded every other year to works completed within the previous two years. Between the two editions two exhibitions and the Prize catalogue travel around Europe allowing the European public to see exhibits on the winning buildings in their own cities. 2011 ceremony which will take place in Barcelona in May, is the twelfth edition to take place since its launch.

Works nominated for the Prize are put forward by independent experts from all over Europe, as well as the member associations of the Architects' Council of Europe national architects' associations, and the advisory committee for the Prize.

Shortlisted works for the 2011 Prize for Contemporary Architecture Mies van der Rohe Award

• Neues Museum (Berlin, Germany), David Chipperfield Architects / David Chipperfield
• Bronks Youth Theatre (Brussels, Belgium), MDMA – Martine De Maeseneer Architecten / Martine De Maeseneer, Dirk Van den Brande
• MAXXI: Museum of XXI Century Arts (Rome, Italy), Zaha Hadid Architects / Zaha Hadid, Patrick Schumacher, Gianluca Racana
• Concert House Danish Radio (Copenhagen, Denmark), Ateliers Jean Nouvel / Jean Nouvel
• Acropolis Museum (Athens, Greece), Bernard Tschumi Architects / Bernard Tschumi
• Rehabilitation Centre Groot Klimmendaal (Arnhem, The Netherlands), Architectenbureau Koen van Velsen / Koen van Velsen