One of the Polish designs is a memorial park on the site of a former synagogue in the southern Polish city of Oświęcim.
Known as the Great Synagogue, the building was burnt down by the Nazis in November 1939.
Oświęcim is where the Nazi German Auschwitz concentration camp was located during World War II.
Designed by the Narchitektura Studio firm, the memorial park features a series of pathways made from 40 grey sandstone slabs that have numerous irregular cuts across their surfaces.
According to the studio, these cuts "illustrate the concept of the paths of life of a multicultural community that once coexisted in this place."
The park also includes a triangular exhibition stand containing information about the former synagogue made from Corten steel and several Corten steel benches.
A replica of a chandelier that was found during archaeological works at the site is hung above a reflecting pool.
The other Polish design in the race for the Mies van der Rohe Award, which is presented once every two years, is the Local Activity Centre in the southern city of Rybnik. The space serves a wide range of cultural and sports uses.
The five finalists for the award will be announced on February 16.
The awards ceremony is due to take place at the Mies van der Rohe Barcelona Pavilion in the Spanish city of Barcelona in May.
(mk/gs)