Outstanding Success at AIV-Schinkel-Preis 2026

The award in the »Städtebau« (urban design) category goes to Jorik Flohr and Jesse Puhan-Schulz for their joint Master's thesis »DAZWISCHENstadt Luckenwalde«. The concept treats mid-sized towns as »in between« spaces that exist between metropolises and rural areas, between existing structures and transformation, between production and living. Based on a precise analysis of the spatial and social characteristics of Luckenwalde, their thesis includes a large-scale inner development strategy that takes into account the existing buildings and understands the city as a long-term project to be carried out in successive phases. Luckenwalde is a prime example for numerous second-tier cities that will be able to relieve the burden on growing metropolises in the future while at the same time developing independent opportunities for growth in a regional sense.

The jury report stated: »The project is impressive in its clarity and comprehensibility of its plans, as well as the programmatic directives in its explanatory description. The designers have shown that they have analytically and strategically understood the identity, density, potential for diversity, and opportunities for transformation of the former industrial city of Luckenwalde. They have used this understanding to develop a thorough and sophisticated urban development concept.« The jury’s decision in selecting the design was unanimous. 

In addition to the main prize in the »Städtebau« category, the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar added another success to the list: The »Interdisziplinär und nachhaltig bauen« special prize was awarded to Dikshya Pokharel, Zhasmin Roumieh, and Mareike Sophie Steffen from the »Integrated Urban Development and Design« Master’s degree programme for their project »The Gentle City«. The »Boden im Wandel. Phytosanierung in einer postindustriellen Stadt« project by Sophia Athanasia Schwechheimer and »An Ecology of Shared Ownership« by Marcel Schmiedel and Elena Hanke, both students in the Master of Architecture programme, also received honourable mentions. 

»These prestigious awards highlight the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar’s leading reputation for educating the next generation of urban planners«, says Dr. Sigrun Langner, Dean of the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar. »The award-winning projects show how analytical depth, design quality, and strategic thinking can lead to sustainable solutions for current transformation challenges in cities and regions.«

About the AIV-Schinkel-Preis 

The AIV Shinkel-Preis is awarded by the »Architekten- und Ingenieur-Verein zu Berlin und Brandenburg« and has been recognising outstanding technical and scientific achievements by young planners since 1852. The awards ceremony takes place every year on the birthday of Prussian architect, urban planner, monument conservator, and visual artist Karl Friedrich Schinkel.

The prize is awarded in several disciplines, including urban design, architecture, landscape architecture, structural engineering, transport planning, and fine arts. Each category is endowed with 3,000 euros in prize money. The aim of the competition is to support planning creativity in the next generation.

For the 171st edition of the award, a total of 140 entries were submitted, 50 of them in the »Städtebau« (urban design) category. Twelve of these entries were awarded prizes in six specialist categories. 

Prizes Awarded to the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar:

Schinkel-Preis Städtebau
»DAZWISCHENstadt Luckenwalde«
Till Pulst, Emil Kuenzer, Jorik Flohr, Jesse Puhan-Schulz
Professorship of Landscape Architecture/Landscape Planning and Professorship of Design and Building Construction

Special Award for »Interdisziplinär und nachhaltig bauen«
»The Gentle City«
Dikshya Pokharel, Zhasmin Roumieh, Mareike Sophie Steffen
Professorship of Landscape Architecture/Landscape Planning

Honourable Mention
»Boden im Wandel. Phytosanierung in einer postindustriellen Stadt«
Sophia Athanasia Schwechheimer
Professorship of Landscape Architecture/Landscape Planning

Honourable Mention
»An Ecology of Shared Ownership«
Marcel Schmiedel, Elena Hanke
Professorship of Landscape Architecture/Landscape Planning

In case of questions, please contact Jannik Petry, scientific associate in the Professorship of Landscape Architecture/Landscape Planning, by e-mail: jannik.petry[at]uni-weimar.de or phone: +49 (0) 36 43/58 32 53.