SAWA
SAWA
SAWA Wins the 2026 Rotterdam Architecture Prize
Expert jury names wooden residential building as a model for the city of tomorrow
Team SAWA on the podium as winners. From left to right: Leen Kooman (Mei), Joost Wetzel (Mei), Michiel van Loon (Mei), Robert Winkel (Mei & NICE Developers), and Mark Compeer (NICE Developers)
Photo: ©Bas van Hattum
SAWA
SAWA Wins BNA Building of the Year 2026
SAWA in Rotterdam has been named the winner of the BNA Best Building of the Year 2026, the most prestigious architecture award in the Netherlands. The expert jury unanimously selected the circular wooden residential building designed by NICE Developers, ERA Contour, and Mei architects and planners.
Videos
Episode 4 of the series “Together” on inclusive living at SAWA
In the third episode of the video series "SAWA — Living Together, Building Together, Celebrating Together," Freek Boeijen (Focus on Impact) discusses the importance of investing in affordable rental housing in the city, while Gerdien, along with her daughter Lotus, shows what it’s really like to live here.
News
SAWA Nominated for the Golden Pyramid 2026
For NICE Developers ERA Contour, this nomination is a special honor. In recent years, SAWA has received widespread acclaim as a building: as a circular wooden residential building, as an example of nature-inclusive and socially responsible construction, and as an icon of the transition in the construction industry. That is precisely why it is especially meaningful that our joint leadership as developers is now also being recognized.
Videos
Episode 3 of the SAWA video series “Together” on timber construction
In the second episode of the video series "SAWA — Living together, building together, celebrating together," we explore the architecture of SAWA, and Robert Platje (Mei architects and planners) explains how the building is inextricably linked to its location.
Videos
Episode 2 of the SAWA video series "Together" about architecture
In the second episode of the video series "SAWA — Living together, building together, celebrating together," we explore the architecture of SAWA, and Robert Platje (Mei architects and planners) explains how the building is inextricably linked to its location.
Videos
SAWA — Living together, building together, celebrating together
In the video series "SAWA — Living together, building together, celebrating together," we look back on the royal opening of SAWA and take you step by step through the core values of the project. We open the series with the first episode on the reason and the initiative: why SAWA?
SAWA
SAWA finalist at the MIPIM Awards 2026!
We are proud to announce that SAWA has been selected by the international jury of the MIPIM Awards 2026 as a finalist in the Best Residential Project category.
SAWA
Royal opening of SAWA – the aftermovie
On November 18, 2025, SAWA was officially opened by Her Majesty Queen Máxima. During the opening, the residents were central. Through personal stories, images, and encounters, it became clear what SAWA truly represents: living together, sharing together, and collectively caring for the place where you live.
SAWA
SAWA is the overall winner of the National Timber Construction Award
SAWA has been declared the overall winner by the professional jury of the National Timber Construction Award 2025. According to the jury report, SAWA is “the absolute standout of this year: elegant, beautifully designed, towering in ambition, and sustainable to its core.”
