In this year, the German Sustainability Award for Architecture has been awarded to the Josef-Schwarz-Schule in Heilbronn, a project that sets new standards in educational building design. Alongside the winning project, there were nine other nominees in the running. The Moabiter Kinderhof children’s and youth centre in Berlin and the conversion of the naTo e.V. socio-cultural centre in Leipzig made it through to the final. The winners of the 14th edition of the prize, organised by the DGNB and the German Sustainability Award Foundation, were announced on the 21st of October 2026 during the DGNB’s ‘Forum for Sustainable Architecture’ event, held at Mannheim’s Luisenpark.
“Since 2013, the German Sustainability Award for Architecture has recognised projects that translate sustainability into architecture in a holistic and compelling way. The finalists in this year’s competition once again impressively demonstrate just how diverse the possibilities are. A unifying element runs like a common thread through the various projects: the result is places that foster a sense of identity for people.” Prof. Amandus Samsøe Sattler, DGNB President and Chair of the jury.
Sustainable Building and Education
The Josef-Schwarz-Schule in Heilbronn is situated in the Neckarbogen, an ambitious model neighbourhood for sustainable and forward-looking urban development. By stacking the various functions, Behnisch Architekten have succeeded in making efficient use of the limited space available at this inner-city site and in designing spacious learning and common areas. The jury particularly highlights the pioneering impetus this project provides for educational buildings, demonstrating in an exemplary manner how the educational facilities of tomorrow can be designed and how space can be utilised in a cost-effective, climate-adapted and high-quality manner.
Finalists stand out for their focus on people and community
Alongside the Josef-Schwarz-Schule in Heilbronn, two further projects have made it through to the final of this year’s competition; these projects place the human element at the centre and have addressed the themes of participation, low-tech solutions and ongoing development in an exemplary manner.
Kersten Kopp Architekten have designed the 340-square-metre Moabiter Kinderhof Berlin children’s and youth centre as a versatile meeting place. In addition to the active social participation it fosters, the jury particularly commends the respectful treatment of the outdoor space, the flexible usage concept and the striking design, which contributes to aesthetic awareness.
In Leipzig, the existing socio-cultural centre naTo e.V. has been transformed into a sustainable space for community life without over-shaping the character of the institution. The jury highlights the project as a pioneering contribution to the ‘construction transition’. Working in collaboration with the association’s members and local tradespeople, the locally based architects from SUMMACUMFEMMER not only upgraded the building but also reused and repurposed existing materials as far as possible.
Awards ceremony at the Sustainable Architecture Forum
For the second time, the winner of the German Sustainability Award for Architecture was announced as part of the DGNB’s Sustainable Architecture Forum. The awards ceremony marked the festive conclusion of the conference day, which was held under the theme ‘Finding the right balance: how much technology does a building need?’.
This second edition was organised collectively by the DGNB and the Chambers of Architects of Baden-Württemberg, North Rhine-Westphalia and Hesse.
In addition, the winners will continue to be showcased during the evening awards ceremony for the German Sustainability Award. The gala evening will take place as part of the 19th German Sustainability Award on 3 and 4 December 2026 in Düsseldorf.
More information here: www.dgnb.de/dnp-architektur.
An overview of the winning project and the finalists
Josef-Schwarz-Schule, Heilbronn
- Client: Schwarz Immobilienmanagement GmbH & Co. KG
- Architecture: Behnisch Architekten
Other project participants: aha-laborplanung (laboratory planning); Bartenbach GmbH (lighting design); BIT Ingenieure (traffic planning); BuP. Boll Beraten und Planen Ingenieurgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG (structural analysis); CUT GmbH (designer); Sage Popp Schagemann (roof waterproofing and drainage consultants); DEKRA (Safety and Health Coordinator); Ernst2 Architekten (site supervision); Gutbrod Bau Physik Ingenieurbüro GmbH (building physics); ibb Burrer & Deuring Ingenieurbüro GmbH (electrical engineering); Ingenieurbüro Henne und SODA Project & Design GmbH (kitchen engineering); KuB Fassadentechnik OG (façade); Kurz und Fischer GmbH (DGNB Auditor); Planstatt Senner (landscape planning); Rentschler und Riedesser Ingenieurgesellschaft mbH für Technik im Bau (HVAC); Schlaich, Bergermann & Partner (support structure); Sinfiro GmbH & Co. KG (Fire Safety); Smoltczyk & Partner GmbH – Geotechnics, Hydrogeology and Environmental Engineering (Geologist); Transsolar Energietechnik GmbH (Air Conditioning)
Moabiter Kinderhof, Berlin
- Building owner: Berlin, Mitte District Office, Department of Youth, Family and Citizen Services/Youth Welfare Office, Youth Welfare Planning
- Architecture: Kersten Kopp Architekten GmbH, Berlin
Other project participants: brandschutz plus GmbH (fire safety planning); DELTA-i GmbH (building services); Henningsen Landscape Architects PartG mbB (landscape architect); IB Kaiser GmbH (building physics); Pichler Ingenieure GmbH (structural engineering)
naTo e.V. conversion, Leipzig
- Building owner: naTo e.V. Sociocultural Centre / City of Leipzig Department of Culture
- Architecture: SUMMACUMFEMMER Architects PartGmbB
Other project partners: Akib (Sound insulation); Brandschutzbüro Hahn (fire safety); Büro für Baustatik Förtsch (structural engineering); GW Plan (HVAC); Ingenieurbüro Wieczorek (Safety and Health Coordinator)
Highlights of the evening
