DAM Prize 2026
The German Architecture Museum (DAM) has announced its nominations of some 100 projects for the DAM Prize 2026. The longlist includes the Mathildenhöhe exhibition building, renovated by schneider+schumacher.
The initial motivation for refurbishing the building was its outdated services which, in terms of conservation issues, no longer met the stringent requirements for temporary exhibition centres with supra-regional appeal. The ensuing sustainable, interdisciplinary energy concept made use of the particular characteristics of the location. As a result, the historic water reservoir beneath the exhibition centre became incorporated into the engineering design and this is now used as an energy-storage facility. As planning progressed, the original remit – energy-efficient refurbishment – was extended to include a comprehensive overall refurbishment of the historic building in line with its listed status.
The DAM Prize has been awarded annually for almost 20 years – with JUNG acting as a collaborating partner since 2017. All nominated buildings in Germany will be published in the book ‘Architekturführer Deutschland 2026’, due to be published by DOM publishers in autumn 2025. The next steps in the competition will be to draw up a shortlist, then choose the finalists, and ultimately to single out the award-winning project.