Rotterdam residential building SAWA named best building of 2026
The residential building SAWA in Rotterdam has been awarded the BNA Best Building of the Year 2026, jury chair Winnie Sorgdrager announced. The jury selected the building unanimously for the annual architecture prize, calling it a turning point for circular construction. The public prize went to Schoonhovens College in Krimpenerwaard, and Station Wildeman in Amsterdam got an honorary mention.
SAWA, designed by Mei architects and planners and commissioned by NICE Developers + ERA Contour, is constructed using 75 percent wood and recycled material. The building offers a mix of mid-range rentals and owner-occupied homes, as well as ample space for plants and 140 nesting boxes.
“The jury views the building as a serious and important experiment in timber construction and entrepreneurship, with exemplary value; a turning point in the city. It is a self-assured building that occupies space, yet is fitted into its location in such a way that it also gives something back,” said jury chair Sorgdrager.
She pointed out that the construction industry needs to shift from a linear to a circular approach, using reusable materials such as wood. “The scale at which timber construction has been applied here is impressive. This project demonstrates that it is possible to create truly sustainable buildings when the developer, architect, and contractor together get the most out of their roles.”
The Public Prize went to Schoonhovens College in Kripenerwaard by the architecture firm Geurst & Schulze. The new buildings for Schoonhovens College are the first step in the renewal of an outdated industrial estate on the outskirts of the town. The yellow brick building has large windows and was built using materials that the VMBO students of the college learn to work with. Its brickwork and installation were left exposed so that the building is “legible” to students.
“A magnificent building that shows that VMBO schools - just like primary schools, universities of applied sciences, and universities - deserve a beautiful environment,” said the jury. “The combination of brick, wood, and polished concrete looks understatedly chic and brings a sense of calm to a bustling building.”
The jury also gave Station Wildeman in Amsterdam, by architectural firm BETA, an honorable mention, noting that this station reclaims space in the Wildemanbuurt in Amsterdam Osdorp. “Located in the heart of the district, it had to become more than just a community center; it had to become a driving force for the socio-economic and spatial development of the Wildemanbuurt. Homework classes prevent school dropouts and help resist the temptation of quick money. Adults receive life coaching, language courses, and are guided toward employment in promising sectors such as IT and sustainability.”
The jury called the station a turning point for architecture with a social function. “Moreover, these types of Post-65 buildings are demolished with great regularity; many churches and schools have already disappeared in this way. This is a wonderful example of how preserving these public facilities can make a difference for the neighborhood.”
