German-Polish Emerging Talent Award for Architecture Graduates

Their prize-winning project focusses on the adaptive reuse of a former unemployment office building from the 1970s in Kassel. Rather than opting to demolish the building, the two graduates developed an adaptive reuse concept: Their plan transforms the formerly single function administration building into a resilient, mixed-use complex whose main purpose is to provide new living space while integrating creative and public uses.

The jury praised the project as an ambitious alternative to conventional demolition and highlighted the project’s emphasis on openness, flexibility, and social engagement. Taking the challenges posed by the climate crisis and the transformation of the construction sector into consideration, the design was recognized as an exemplary contribution to sustainable urban development.

The Master's thesis was supervised by Prof. Verena von Beckerath (Professorship of Housing Design at the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar), Prof. Adrian Nägel (Architecture for Future, Institute for Architecture at the TU Berlin), and Lorenz Kirchner (Professorship of Design and Architectural Space at the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar). 

The BDA-SARP Award is endowed with 2,500 euros and is regarded as the most important German-Polish prize for emerging architects. The Award recognised the best final projects from both countries; the projects are not required to have a direct thematic connection to Poland, but must demonstrate innovative, future-oriented ideas.

This year’s ceremony in Warsaw honoured projects from the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, TU Berlin, TU Dresden, and the Münster School of Architecture. The main prize was awarded to a graduate from the Warsaw University of Technology.