Polish project nominated for prestigious award: "Harmony of a new structure with a historic facade"

Nizio Design International, led by Mirosław Nizio, has been nominated for the prestigious European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture / Mies van der Rohe Award 2026. The organizers appreciated the project of the OKO Interactive Fairy Tale and Animation Center in Bielsko-Biała.

We love it when Polish artists are recognized worldwide. This time, we recommend highlighting the OKO Interactive Fairy Tale and Animation Center in Bielsko-Biała , whose designers, Nizio Design International, have been nominated for the prestigious European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture / Mies van der Rohe Award 2026 .

The award was created to highlight the achievements of European architects who implement new technologies and concepts in their projects, while not forgetting about the relationship between the quality of life and the quality of the environment .

"The aim of the Prize is to identify and honor works whose innovative nature serves as a point of reference, or even a manifesto. Therefore, the jury will represent the institutions involved, while also reflecting the cultural intentions that give the Prize both symbolic and pedagogical value," we read on the European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture website.

Project of the OKO Interactive Fairy Tale and Animation Center in Bielsko-Biała. Photo: Press materials / Nizio Design International

The OKO Interactive Fairy Tale and Animation Centre project is an example of architecture located on the premises of the former Animated Film Studio in Bielsko-Biała , which should be familiar to all those who grew up on the adventures of Bolek and Lolek , Reksio or Professor Baltazar Gąbka .

Believe me, these characters truly connect generations, because my sons love them too.

Project of the OKO Interactive Fairy Tale and Animation Center in Bielsko-Biała. Photo: Press materials / Nizio Design International

Architects from Nizio Design International emphasize that they wanted to base their project on a dialogue between the past and modernity.

"The building, with its rather ascetic form, made of architectural concrete, perforated like a film strip, is linked to the historic Villa Roth , restored with the utmost attention to detail. A glazed passage connects the two structures, serving a communicative and symbolic function, forming a metaphorical bridge between heritage and the future," we read.

As we read in the press release, the minimalist structure was integrated into its surroundings, maintaining its scale and proportions relative to the historic surroundings. The new part of the complex will include a cinema , exhibition spaces , a digital archive , and educational and entertainment areas .

The Roth Villa , which years ago housed the headquarters of the Animated Film Studio , also underwent revitalization.

"We wanted the new structure to blend harmoniously with the historic façade. I believe we've managed to create a cohesive, balanced whole that respects heritage while simultaneously introducing a new dimension," says Mirosław Nizio , owner of Nizio Design International .

Project of the OKO Interactive Fairy Tale and Animation Center in Bielsko-Biała. Photo: Press materials / Nizio Design International

The project has already won The Sun Design Award and has now been nominated for the EU Mies Award 2026. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it won't end with a nomination!