New Siegen Architecture School: Revolution in the cityscape!

New Siegen Architecture School: Revolution in the cityscape!

The University of Siegen is planning to build a new building for its architecture institute, which will be located in the former printing house of the Siegener Zeitung. The design by FAKT and Gustav Düsing shows the old printing house in a new form as the New Siegen Architecture School (NAS). The project is currently nominated for the polis Award 2025 in the “Impulsive Phase Zero” category, a prize that has been honoring innovative urban development projects for ten years. The award ceremony will take place on May 7th at the polis Convention, where the winning projects can also be presented. Interested parties have the opportunity to vote online for their favorite projects until April 17th, although registration via the Polis Forum is required, reports the University of Siegen.

The design includes a modernized use of the current two-story exposed concrete frame building from the 1970s. The selection process jury chose FAKT and Gustav Düsing in a two-stage, dialogue-oriented award process. Numerous international teams took part in the first round, including participants such as AgwA from Brussels and Assemble from London. FAKT and Düsing were ultimately able to prevail. The contract for the project award has already been signed. Prof. Dr. Thorsten Erl from the Department of Architecture at the University of Siegen expressed his delight at the nomination and sees the award as a possible impetus for implementation.

Architectural features and concepts

The innovative design is characterized by two additional floors made of wood and a delicate steel construction. The construction is designed so that it is largely suspended and uses a tensile structure that was developed in collaboration with the engineering firm schlaich bergermann partner from Stuttgart. The old facade will be partially removed and the exposed concrete panels will be reused. In addition, a modern spatial and climate concept is pursued that allows natural ventilation through vertical openings and ensures openness and flexibility, especially in the newly designed “Cloud Space” under the roof and on the fully openable ground floor.

The polis Award itself focuses on preparatory planning processes, with the jury consisting of 15 experts who decide on the winners in the various categories. This award not only highlights design quality, but also reflects the need for sustainability in architecture.

German Architecture Prize 2025

Parallel to the developments at the University of Siegen, the German Architecture Prize 2025 is also taking place, which is being awarded by the Federal Ministry of Housing, Urban Development and Construction and the Federal Chamber of Architects. Since its initiation in 1977, it has recognized exemplary buildings from Germany.

Architects with chamber membership or equivalent credentials are eligible to participate, with buildings completed between January 1, 2022 and January 13, 2025 being taken into account. The total prize is 60,000 euros, and the jury's decision will be announced on September 18, 2025 in Berlin.

Further information and updates on the submission and the assessment criteria can be found on the website of the Federal Office of Building and Regional Planning. The nomination of the NAS for the polis Award and the possibility of another award from the German Architecture Prize illustrate the growing interest in innovative architecture and the ongoing efforts towards sustainable urban development.