Jena façade prize awarded with special energy efficiency prize

The winners of the Jena Façade Award 2024 have been announced. The main prize of 5,000 euros goes to the Obermühle Leutra. The culturally and historically significant mill complex from the 18th century impressed the jury with its refurbishment in keeping with its listed status, which preserved the historic character of the complex despite decades of vacancy and considerable damage. Particularly noteworthy is the elaborate reconstruction of half-timbering and brickwork, which was implemented almost true to the original with the help of modern craftsmanship. This preserved the value of the building and at the same time created new possibilities for its use.

"The restoration of the Obermühle is not only a success for the protection of historical monuments, but also a significant contribution to the preservation of the townscape and identity of the municipality of Leutra. The complex, which once served as a landmark farmstead and mill, now shines once again as a regional landmark. This project impressively demonstrates how tradition and innovation can go hand in hand in the preservation of historical monuments",

emphasized jury chairman Hans-Peter Zillich.

Mayor and Head of the Department for Urban Development and the Environment, Christian Gerlitz, was delighted with the commitment:

"The Jena Façade Award is of great importance for our city, as it not only promotes building culture, but also recognizes the commitment of citizens to the preservation and design of our cityscape. I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the private sponsors, whose support enables us to honor outstanding projects and create incentives for future renovations. The award-winning properties impressively demonstrate how tradition and modern building culture can be harmoniously combined."

Gerlitz presented the awards together with sponsors of the prize on 16.12.2024 in the historic town hall.

Great interest in the façade prize

A total of 15 applications were submitted this year, including ten residential buildings, five commercial buildings, two monuments and one building in a listed ensemble. The special prize for energy efficiency is also enjoying growing popularity: with five applications, there were more submissions than in previous years. The range of projects spanned different parts of the city, including Remderoda, Leutra and Kunitz, and reflects the diverse commitment in Jena.

Energy efficiency honored: Two award winners honored

The special prize for energy efficiency in the residential building category went to the Erlenhöfe 1-10, 20-28 residential complex. With 140 residential units, a biomass-powered local heating network, photovoltaic systems and high-quality insulation, the project sets new standards in social housing construction. The "Carl Zeiss" eG housing cooperative was awarded 500 euros.

The commercial property at Löbstedter Straße 49a, also known as "OGS", also received an award. The renovation project impressed with a combination of a geothermal heat pump, solar panels and sustainable façade renovation. Reused demolition material for e-mobility parking spaces and climate-resistant planting round off the innovative concept. Here, too, there was prize money of 500 euros.

Further awards for exemplary projects

The commercial property at Löbstedter Straße 49a also received a 1,500 euro award for the successful combination of old and new. The end-of-terrace house at Hermann-Löns-Straße 33, which has retained the character of the 1930s with a photovoltaic system, new insulation and a flowering meadow in the front garden, also received a prize of 1,500 euros.

The apartment building at Sophienstraße 28 was awarded 1,000 euros for its faithful restoration of the façade and the reconstruction of a building at Dornburger Straße 8, which was carefully added to after war damage. The conversion of the Ernst-Abbe-Sportfeld into a DFL-compatible soccer arena received further recognition.

Prize awarded for the 32nd time

Thanks to the support of a total of 16 sponsors, exemplary new buildings and outstanding façade renovations in the city of Jena have now been recognized for the 32nd time since 1993. The following companies, institutions and private individuals provided prize money totaling around €10,000 for the façade award this year:

Background: The façade prize

The competition, which was launched by the publisher and building owner Thomas Voelckner in 1993, aims to highlight and reward particularly exemplary renovation and design work on façades, to thank building owners, to highlight craftsmanship and to honor the companies and planning offices involved in the construction.

The prize money provided by the private sponsors is to be awarded to private builders in recognition of their commitment and to create an incentive for imitation. Public buildings and housing companies are excluded from prize money.

The competition is held annually with the support of around 15 sponsors. The Jena Façade Award would not be possible without the support of these sponsors, who have generously donated money and goods in previous years.

An independent jury consisting of representatives of the sponsors, architects and representatives of the city selects the winning project, for which the façade prize is then awarded. Since 2009, a special prize for energy efficiency has also been awarded by the city for exemplary energy solutions.

Award-winning facades 2024

Gewinner Fassadenpreis 2024: Obermühle Leutra

Sonderpreis Energieeffizienz – Wohngebäude: Erlenhöfe 1–10, 20–28

Anerkennung: Löbstedter Straße 49a („OGS”)

Anerkennung: Hermann-Löns-Straße 33

Anerkennung: Sophienstraße 28

Anerkennung: Dornburger Straße 8

Anerkennung (ohne Preisgeld): Ernst-Abbe-Sportfeld

Kategorie

Allgemein