The " 2024 German University Building Award" by the Deutsche Universitätsstiftung (German University Foundation) goes to Dresden. The award goes to the reconstruction of the Fritz Foerster Building at TUD Dresden University of Technology, which houses a lecture hall plus several seminar rooms and serves as the headquarters of the University of Excellence's central administration. The award is endowed with EUR 15,000. The Fritz Foerster Building was re-designed by the Dresden-based firm "CODE UNIQUE Architekten". The building owner was the state-owned company Sächsisches Bau- und Immobilienmanagement.

After more than eight years of construction, the grade listed former research building of the Chemical Institutes in the heart of TU Dresden was given a new purpose at the end of February 2023. The decontamination and odor neutralization of the entire building was one of the biggest challenges that had to be overcome. Extensive reconstruction and refurbishment measures were necessary: Former laboratories were converted into modern offices. Interconnected corridor and foyer areas have also created space for meetings and events. The outside staircase and the new seating steps in the inner courtyard also invite staff and university members to enjoy a break together.

"The reconstruction of the Fritz Foerster Building at TU Dresden (...) is an excellent example of how to deal with historic buildings," said the jury, chaired by Munich architect Birgit Rudacs. "All measures are in line with the 1920s building both in terms of structure and the functional architectural language. Sophisticated, meticulous measures give the building its own character and a new design identity. The old has been preserved and the new is made visible with subtle restraint."

"The reconstruction of the Fritz Foerster Building represents an impressive metamorphosis," emphasizes Jan Gerken, Chancellor of TU Dresden. "Initially built as a research facility for the New Chemical Institutes, it now unites the Central University and Student Administration under one roof and in a modern building that architecturally characterizes our campus. Martin Boden-Peroche and Volker Giezek studied architecture at TU Dresden and today they manage the architecture firm CODE UNIQUE. I can't imagine a more ambitious project that architects are allowed to realize at their alma mater. We would like to thank you, the SIB and all the specialists and stakeholders involved."

Two further awards of EUR 5,000 each go to building projects at Technische Universität Braunschweig and Reutlingen University.

The German University Building Award was presented for the seventh time by the Deutsche Universitätsstiftung (DUS) under the patronage of the Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development and Building. The award is supported by the Eberhard Schöck Foundation with prize money totaling EUR 25,000. The university building award honors both the building owners and the architects. Eighteen universities from ten federal states competed for the award with 20 projects.

The laureate and the two awards recognize exemplary university buildings or ensembles that exhibit a special architectural quality or demonstrate an exemplary approach to historic buildings. They combine aesthetic and functional aspects in an outstanding way and are attractive as university buildings for students and lecturers. Moreover, they are committed to sustainable building in ecological, economic and socio-cultural terms and make a positive contribution to the design of public spaces.

The Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development and Building provided financial support for the award, while the competition was organized by the Federal Office for Building and Regional Planning (BBR).

Detailed information (in German):
www.deutsche-universitaetsstiftung.de

Detailed information on the competition procedure:
www.bbr.bund.de/deutscher-hochschulbaupreis-2024

Images of the winners of the German University Building Award 2024:
www.bbr.bund.de/deutscher-hochschulbaupreis-2024-pressefotos

Press inquiries:
Deutsche Universitätsstiftung
presse@deutsche-universitaetsstiftung.de