NOAN wins 2026 Pietilä Prize for human-centred sustainable architecture

Arkkitehtitoimisto NOAN Oy has won the 2026 Pietilä Prize for its sustainable, human-centred architecture. The award was presented during the Architecture and Cities in Transition seminar at Tampere Architecture and Design Week and carries a €10,000 prize.

The 2026 jury, which included Rakennustieto Foundation (RTS) board representative Henrika Pihlajaniemi, chief architect Niina Kilpelä and architect and project manager Inari Virkkala, based its decision on the theme “Sustainable, human-centred architecture and environment.” The panel highlighted NOAN’s combination of contextual restoration, sensitive infill and forward-looking area development.

Founded in 2017, Arkkitehtitoimisto NOAN Oy is led by founding partners Lassi Viitanen, Janne Ekman, Ville Reima and Teemu Paasiaho. Its portfolio ranges from detailed interior restorations to neighbourhood-scale projects, with design choices guided by lifecycle thinking, adaptability and accessibility.

The prize was presented by research director Sini Saarimaa. The four founding partners accepted the award alongside team members Jaakko Heikkilä, Caspar Åkerblom, Jani Jukonen, Olivia Myntti and Laura Rahkonen. At the seminar Lassi Viitanen described the honour as a humble recognition of NOAN’s efforts to change standard construction practices and said the award encourages continued work toward a more sustainable, people-focused built environment.

Established in 1989 and first awarded in 1991, the Pietilä Prize is given every three years to a young architect or group that has significantly renewed architectural practice. The next award will be presented in 2029, and a full list of past recipients is available on the Rakennustieto Foundation website.