Façade Engineering Award 2026
As part of the SCHULBAU Festival, innovative façade solutions that harmonize energy efficiency, material strategy, and architectural quality will be honored on November 11, 2026, in Berlin.
Photos: AI ChatGPT, Adobe Stock
Objective of the Award
The Façade Engineering Award 2026 honors building envelopes and facade concepts that provide sustainable answers to the technical, energy, and structural challenges of construction. We are looking for projects that combine technical innovation, building physics quality, sustainability, architectural design, and economic feasibility – regardless of whether they are new constructions, renovations, extensions, or modernizations.
The focus is particularly on projects that demonstrate new approaches in facade technology. Today, building envelopes do far more than just provide weather protection: they regulate energy flows, daylight, and indoor climate, integrate technical functions, generate renewable energy, and contribute significantly to resource efficiency and the longevity of buildings. We are looking for innovative facade solutions that convincingly meet these diverse requirements through intelligent constructions, high-quality materials, and integrated planning.
Approaches that consider the principles of circular construction are particularly welcome – for example, through modular facade systems, reversible constructions, single-material separation, or concepts for later repurposing and reuse of facade components. Also welcome are adaptive facades, integrated photovoltaics, digital planning and manufacturing processes, as well as innovative prefabrication and assembly technologies.
The award is explicitly international and aims to highlight different approaches and solutions in modern facade technology – from economical standard solutions to innovative pilot projects. We are looking for both experimental and practically proven approaches that contribute to the further development of sustainable and high-performance building envelopes.
Special attention is given to projects that demonstrate how high-quality facade technology can be successfully implemented under real economic and technical conditions. Sustainability is explicitly understood in a practical sense: both economical solutions and experimental facade concepts with exemplary character are welcome.
Eligibility
The following are eligible:
- completed, under construction, or planned projects
- Facades for new constructions, renovations, extensions, or modernizations
- Submissions from architectural firms, facade planners, specialist planners, engineering firms, public clients, manufacturers, and interdisciplinary teams
We are particularly looking for projects with:
- innovative facade and building envelope systems
- modular or flexible facade concepts
- sustainable material strategies
- timber, hybrid, or circular construction methods
- intelligent or adaptive facade systems
- integrated photovoltaics or multifunctional building envelopes
- innovative fastening, prefabrication, or assembly solutions
- solutions for deconstruction, repurposing, or reuse of facade components
- energy-efficient and economical facade concepts
- resource-efficient renovation or expansion concepts for existing buildings
Partial aspects of sustainable or innovative facade technology can also be submitted. Projects without complete sustainability certification or comprehensive life cycle analyses are explicitly welcome.
Documents to be Submitted
The documentation should clearly present the idea, quality, and distinctive features of the project.
Please submit:
- brief project description
- Explanatory report on the facade concept
- plans, photos, or visualizations
- information on construction, material selection, and sustainability strategy
- information on energy, operational, or usage concepts
- optional documentation on CO₂, life cycle, or certifications
The scope of documentation should remain appropriate and practical.
Evaluation Criteria
The jury evaluates projects holistically and within their respective contexts.
Innovation & Facade Technology
- technical innovation
- structural quality and detailed solutions
- degree of integration of different facade functions
- adaptive or intelligent facade systems
- prefabrication, assembly, and digitalization concepts
- contribution to the further development of facade technology
Sustainability & Resource Use
- resource-efficient construction methods
- sustainable or recyclable materials
- CO₂ reduction and energy efficiency
- durability and robustness
- resource-efficient renovation and reuse of existing structures
Circular Economy & Flexibility
- deconstructability and reusability
- modular or adaptable systems
- adaptive reuse capability
- pure material separation and reversible construction methods
- demountable components and flexible life cycle strategies
Architecture & Design
- architectural quality of the building envelope
- materiality and detail quality
- integration into the overall building
- design impact
- contribution to comfort and quality of stay
Economic Viability & Feasibility
- realistic and economically feasible solutions
- operational reliability and ease of maintenance
- life cycle thinking
- efficiency in the use of space, material, and resources
Innovation & Exemplary Character
- new approaches in facade technology
- international perspectives
- transferability to other projects
- contribution to the further development of sustainable building envelopes
The award explicitly aims to highlight different approaches in modern facade technology – from simple, economical solutions to experimental pilot projects.
Jury
The jury is interdisciplinary and brings together expertise from architecture, education, urban development, sustainability, research, and public administration.
Award Ceremony
The award ceremony will take place on November 11, 2026 in Berlin as part of the SCHULBAU Festival.
Application
Please send us your comprehensive application documents by September 15, 2026. The submission should clearly present the project’s unique features and can be compiled as you see fit. Plans, photos, visualizations, and explanations regarding concept, construction, sustainability, and use are welcome. Please submit the documents preferably as a single PDF file.
Submit to: redaktion@cubusmedien.de
Subject: Façade Engineering Award Submission
Submission deadline: September 15, 2026
