On Sunday 7 June, the big day finally arrived! The six winners of the 2026 Flanders Architecture Prize were announced with great pride during the festive awards ceremony at De Bijloke in Ghent. Hosted by Thomas Vanderveken and attended by a large audience, this special edition of the Day of Architecture came to a festive close.
The Flanders Architecture Prize stands out from other architecture prizes due to its regional scope (Flanders and Brussels), its focus on social added value, and its recognition of individual projects. The prize puts not only the architect, but also the client and the user in the spotlight. Because high-quality architecture is not created by architects alone. Dennis Pohl, director of the VAi, is well aware of this: “Ambition alone does not make architecture. The selected buildings demonstrate how quality arises from the collective efforts of clients, master builders, architects, authorities and users or residents. The result is architecture with genuine social added value.”
From more than 300 entries, the expert jury (Vlaams Bouwmeester Véronique Claessens, architect Mechthild Stuhlmacher and architect Sumayya Vally) shortlisted 20 projects. Five public awards (learning, meeting, working, living and caring) were linked to this shortlist, with the public jury selecting one winner per category. The expert jury awards a single expert jury prize across all categories.
“Ambition alone does not make architecture. The selected buildings demonstrate how quality arises from the collective efforts of clients, master builders, architects, authorities and users or residents. The result is architecture with genuine social added value.”
Goujons Tower, Anderlecht - Architect: Karbon’ architectuur en stedenbouw, TVK - Client: Foyer Anderlechtois - User: Tenants of Foyer Anderlechtois
The Goujons Tower, recognisable by its folded shape, was built in the 1970s along the former course of the Senne. With 378 residential units, it is now the largest apartment block in the Brussels Region.
Following the Pano feature (VRT, 20 May 2026), VAi and the expert jury have condemned the alleged malpractice, whilst continuing to acknowledge the architectural quality. Read the full disclaimer.
“The Goujons Tower is a bold and confident statement about the future of social housing: ambitious in design, meticulously executed and closely intertwined with the daily lives of its residents.”
Tuighuisstraat, Kortrijk - Architect: MAKER architecten - Client: SW+ - User: Tenants of housing association
Originally, Tuighuisstraat in Kortrijk was a garden suburb, with back gardens opening onto a communal green space. The Tuighuisstraat project commemorates and builds on this heritage through the development of social housing.
“Tuighuisstraat stands out for its coherent vision, its integration into the urban fabric, and its ability to approach social housing in an open and inclusive manner.”
Usquare Feder, Ixelles - Architect: evr-architecten, BC architects & studies & materials, Callebaut Architecten - Client: VUB, ULB, SAU/MSI - User: VUB, ULB
After years of vacancy, the former gendarmerie barracks in Ixelles has a new future. With Usquare Feder, seven historic buildings have been repurposed as an international university campus and a multifunctional urban district where education, research and city life come together.
Usquare Feder received an honourable mention from the Expert jury of the Flanders Architecture Prize 2026.
“Usquare Feder stands out thanks to its natural focus on inclusion. The building functions as an open urban space where different groups of users come together, much like a station building.”
Manchestergebouw, Aalst - Architect: Areal architecten - Client: CBE Ligo ZOVL - User: CBE Ligo ZOVL
The lower two floors of this former spinning mill in Aalst have been converted into a centre for adult education. The project provides facilities for basic education and training courses for people with limited educational qualifications. The refurbishment focuses on spatial quality, as well as fostering interaction and socialising among users.
“Manchestergebouw is a carefully designed learning environment where heritage, functionality and a future-oriented approach come together. Despite a limited budget, the project succeeds in achieving the highest possible spatial quality.”
Tonuso, Vilvoorde - Architect: ZAmpone Architectuur - uma architecten - Client: Tonuso vzw - User: Tonuso vzw
Tonuso Vilvoorde is a centre for specialised youth care and accommodates around twenty children and young people. The project provides accommodation for two residential groups, supplemented by a few studio flats for supported independent living. In this small-scale setting, the focus is on creating a safe, warm and stimulating living environment.
“Within the care category, there is a tension between the specific needs of target groups and care providers, and architectural refinement. Tonuso demonstrates how these elements can be brought together with empathy and commitment to create a caring environment.”
NAVIGO Fisheries Museum, Koksijde - Architect: Havana architectuur - Client: Municipality of Koksijde - User: NAVIGO Fisheries Museum
The existing NAVIGO Fisheries Museum in Koksijde has been expanded to include a new storage building, an educational kitchen and an additional museum wing. Together, they form a single cohesive whole, sharing a common architectural style.
“Het NAVIGO Visserijmuseum vult het begrip ontmoeten op een veelzijdige en gelaagde manier in. Het museum overstijgt zijn rol als tentoonstellingsruimte en ontwikkelt zich tot een breed sociaal platform.”
Thank you to all the participating projects, to all visitors of the Day of Architecture and to everyone who attended the awards ceremony for the very first edition of the Flanders Architecture Prize.
