Competition decided: jury selects winning designs for the redesign of Ernst-Abbe-Platz

The jury has met - the winners of the open space planning competition for the redesign of Ernst-Abbe-Platz have been announced. The jury selected three prize-winning entries and one commendation from 17 submitted designs. After intensive discussions and expert deliberations, jury chairman Prof. Dr. Stefan Bochnig announced the result yesterday evening:

• 1st prize: Atelier Loidl, Berlin
• 2nd prize: TDB Landschaft, Berlin
• 3rd prize: Station C23, Leipzig
• Recognition: Impuls Landschaftsarchitekten, Jena - for a particularly innovative design idea

The award-winning entries show diverse and forward-looking approaches for the further development of Ernst-Abbe-Platz. A planning office from the group of prize winners will now be commissioned with the further development.

"I was impressed by the quality and diversity of the submitted designs. They show how creatively and at the same time realistically Ernst-Abbe-Platz can be conceived as an urban, climate-adapted space. The winning entry impresses with a strong combination of quality of stay, diversity of use and green infrastructure," emphasizes Dirk Lange, Head of Urban Development and Environment for the City of Jena.

The redesign of Ernst-Abbe-Platz is a long-standing goal of the city of Jena. The funding decision from the federal program "Adaptation of urban and rural areas to climate change" in March 2024 was the starting signal for the project preparation. Citizens contributed their perspectives and ideas in advance via a participation workshop and the city of Jena's participation platform - these played a key role in the competition.

Exhibition and public participation

All 17 competition entries will be exhibited in the historic town hall from 10 to 30 June 2025. From mid-June, the designs can also be viewed online on the city of Jena's participation platform. There, interested citizens can comment on the works and share their impressions.