Jena Façade Award 2020: main prize, appreciation and recognition awarded

This year's Jena Façade Award 2020, which includes prize money of €6,000, goes to Christoplan GmbH, represented by Ms. Nagelschneider, for the refurbishment of the commercial multifunctional building at Ernst-Ruska-Ring 12 (wurm+wurm Architekten Ingenieure GmbH, Bühl/Baden).

The brass plaque, certificate, prize money and flowers were presented on behalf of the sponsors by the jury chairman Mr. Kühn (HI-Bauprojekt) and on behalf of the city administration by the mayor and department head Mr. Gerlitz.

"The project is an exemplary demonstration of how outdated, plain and unattractive commercial properties can be upgraded to unique workplaces through the use of simple stylistic elements."

said Mayor Gerlitz. We have succeeded in creating a visual jewel within an industrial estate. The newly cut window openings in unusual formats give the façades an interesting structure. The building was given an exciting silvery skin with the help of industrial, standard metal U-profiles in a staggered arrangement. The modified exterior wall design cleverly breaks up the simple cubature of the existing building and creates an interesting design. The outdoor facilities complement the design approach perfectly. The reflective sheeting, which frays towards the top, creates special reflections and shadow effects.

Two further prizes were also awarded today:

I.V. Immobilien Invest GmbH was recognized for the refurbishment and conversion of the Pfarrgasse 5 residential building in Jena-Zwätzen (planning: Waldhelm Architekten - Waldhelm GmbH, Jena) with prize money of €1,500. The cheque, certificate and stainless steel plaque were presented on behalf of the sponsors by Mr. Lübbert (Jena-Saale-Holzland District Craftsmen's Association) and Ms. Rietz (Head of Urban Planning) on behalf of the city council.

In the opinion of the jury, the building was renovated to a very high standard of craftsmanship and shines in new splendor once again. With the renovation, a historic part of the old Zwätzen estate has been restored in line with its listed status. The masonry, window frames and roof eaves were extensively repaired and skillfully refurbished. The bat dormers added to the roof blend discreetly into the roofscape. The warm color of the newly applied façade slurry harmonizes with the limestone of the frames of the openings and allows the rough surfaces of the heavily textured masonry walls to shine through vividly.

jenawohnen GmbH was honored with an award for the new construction of the office and residential building at Kastanienstraße 1 (planning: kister scheithauer groß architekten und stadplaner GmbH, Leipzig). A plaque, a certificate and flowers were presented on behalf of the sponsors by Ms. Wackernagel (private sponsor) and on behalf of the city administration by the mayor and department head Mr. Gerlitz.

A 10-storey building with a wide variety of windows rises from an access base, which is divided by columns. The strongly profiled metal curtain wall impresses with its accurate workmanship without visible mounting and drainage systems. In the jury's view, the new building forms a modern and very high-quality urban building block that positively enhances the location. The high-quality sculptural façade is an exemplary demonstration of the qualities that can be achieved in office and commercial buildings.

Thanks to private sponsors, the city of Jena was able to award the Jena Façade Prize for the 28th time this year. A total of €9,800 was available as prize money, divided between the main prize and the awards. Public contractors and larger players in the housing market are only awarded prizes without prize money.

By the beginning of October, 13 applications had been received. These cover a wide range of projects. From smaller and larger private residential buildings to public facilities and mixed-use buildings, the range extends all the way to commercial buildings. The jury, which consists of representatives of the sponsors, the city administration and a member of the architectural advisory board, met on November 12, 2020. Due to the difficult situation regarding the organization of a central award ceremony, the jury decided to present the prizes individually this year in a small setting at the respective prize-winning property. In addition to the main prize, the jury also awarded commendations and recognitions. The jury decided not to award the special energy prize this year.

In the course of this week, two commendations and one appreciation have already been presented.

"The city of Jena would like to sincerely thank all sponsors, without whose commitment the 2020 Façade Award would not have been possible," emphasizes Gerlitz. These are in 2020:

• AICON Immobilien Consult
• The Gummich family
• HEYX Engineering, Hermstedt
• HI-Bauprojekt GmbH
• Your painter Thomas Jüttner GmbH
• Ingenieurbüro Bau- und Ausrüstungen GmbH (IBA)
• District craftsmen's association Jena-Saale-Holzland
• Restoration Stilbruch
• S&L Szymanski GmbH
• Savings Bank Jena-Saale-Holzland
• Steffen Kind - Building analysis
• Elisabeth Wackernagel