The 2026 German Natural Stone Award Goes to Schulz and Schulz

Professors Ansgar and Benedikt Schulz (Chair of Architectural Design and Construction I) were awarded the 2026 German Natural Stone Prize, and the new German Embassy building in Vienna, which they designed, is the winner in Category A: Public and Commercial Buildings.

The jury’s evaluation states, among other things: “The new embassy building presents itself as a freestanding, villa-like structure with a prestigious appearance and generously designed interior and exterior spaces. The architecture draws on classical modernism and sensitively integrates both the embassy and the residence into the urban environment.

A defining feature of the building is its façade of light-colored Krastal marble from Austria. The precisely crafted natural stone surfaces lend the building a sculptural quality and are consistently carried through into the interior. This creates a close connection between interior and exterior, underscoring the building’s open character.

Special attention was also paid to the sustainable use of resources. Short transport distances, a favorable carbon footprint, and the possibility of reusing the natural stone slabs at a later date make the new building an exemplary contribution to contemporary architecture.”

Further information:
German Natural Stone Award 2026