Final Stretch for the 2026 Facade Award: One Month Left to Submit Applications
Building owners have one more month to submit their new construction or renovation projects within the city limits of Jena for the 2026 Facade Award. Entries for particularly outstanding buildings and facade designs can be submitted through September 30, 2026. Now in its 34th year, the award aims to recognize the private commitment of building owners and contribute to an attractive cityscape in Jena.
A city’s charm also depends on the aesthetic qualities of its buildings. A beautifully designed facade is not only appealing but also has a positive impact on its surroundings. To promote as many of these architectural gems as possible in Jena, the sponsors of the Facade Award have been successfully supporting the initiative since 1993.
This year, too, a total of approximately 10,000 euros in prize money and in-kind contributions is available.
“Whether it’s a restoration in accordance with historic preservation standards, a high-quality new construction, or an innovative energy-efficient solution—behind every submitted project are people who take responsibility for their buildings and for the cityscape. We want to highlight and honor this commitment. At the same time, the Special Prize for Energy Efficiency demonstrates that sophisticated design and sustainable construction naturally go hand in hand today,” says Dirk Lange, Head of the Department of Urban Development and Environment.
Special Prize for Energy Efficiency
The Special Prize for Energy Efficiency is awarded in addition to the main Façade Prize for projects in which architecture is combined with the use of renewable energy and techniques to increase energy efficiency in a particularly exemplary manner.
Important Dates for Participation
- Until September 30, 2026, building owners can submit their new construction or renovation projects within the city limits of Jena for the Facade Award and the Special Award for Energy Efficiency. Public buildings are excluded from receiving prize money.
- The jury meeting, during which each nominated project will be inspected, will take place on November 4, 2026.
- At the awards ceremony on December 14, 2026, at City Hall, the winners will be officially announced and the prize money presented.
- The sponsors and the City of Jena look forward to receiving a wide variety of applications.
More Information and Forms
The competition rules and application forms can be foundon the City of Jena’s website:
The Sponsors of the 2026 Facade Award
This year, the following companies and individuals are providing a total of approximately 10,000 euros in prize money and in-kind contributions to honor—for the 34th time—the private commitment of building owners in particular:
- Sparkasse Jena-Saale-Holzland
- Ingenieurbüro Bau- und Ausrüstungen GmbH (IBA GmbH), Jena
- HI Bauprojekt GmbH, Jena
- Ernst-Abbe-Projekt-GmbH, Jena
- Ihr Maler - Thomas Jüttner GmbH, Jena
- Stegmann Opticians, Jena
- AICON Insurance & Real Estate Consulting, Jena
- Dunkel, Veit & Heppner, LLC, Jena
- The Gummich Family, Jena (private)
- HEYX Engineering, Project Management – Construction Supervision, Jena
- GiSi ARCHiTECTS . Gisbert Bachrodt Architectural Firm
- Elisabeth Wackernagel, Jena (private)
- Steffen Kind – Energy Consulting and Building Analysis, Jena
- Motel & Bowling Jembopark, Jena
- Dirk Lange, Bürgel (private)
- elf5 Jena GmbH, Jena