Katharina Hoff received the department award for her design “Bahnhof+”, a proposal for a new train station in Bregenz, published by the Department of Design and Sustainable Building (Prof. Christoph Kuhn).

The design task focused on redesigning the train station in Bregenz. The goal was to create a forward-thinking station that is more than just a transportation hub—an urban interface that redefines the connection between mobility, architecture, and public space.

Many smaller train stations today risk being reduced in function. In contrast, Bregenz aims to set an example: a train station as a new landmark for the city, linking the historic center with the lake promenade, intelligently integrating different modes of transportation, and architecturally enhancing the experience of travel. Katharina Hoff achieves this by selectively deconstructing existing structures and constructing a new hall at the intersection of two movement axes she identified. This hall provides open spaces that can be used without the need for consumption, momentarily giving the station the character of a “third place.”

Penelope Naomi Pahn and Ines Wiedemann were honored for their urban design project “Garten Erft” as part of the “ÇA BOUGE EN VILLE” initiative.

The project, published by the Department of Design and Urban Development (Prof. Dr. Annette Rudolph-Cleff), explored how sports and architecture can serve as connecting elements in the city. The design focused on the Erft floodplain, which links eight districts of the city of Neuss from the Rhine estuary to the Museum Island Hombroich. The key question was how sports and architecture could create new everyday spaces along the Erft floodplain.

Penelope Naomi Pahn and Ines Wiedemann transformed the floodplain into a holistic landscape corridor. Their “Garten Erft” connects the eight districts, providing each with a new central space.

Each district receives its own garden gate, serving as an entrance to the landscape corridor. Behind each gate, themed gardens unfold, each with a distinct focus. These gardens are also interwoven with the sports facilities of the respective districts, creating a dynamic interplay between nature, recreation, and urban life.

Another department award went to Xing Gao for her design as part of the project “BØRSEN – Hjemsted for Dansk Håndværk,” supervised by the Department of Design and Building Construction (Prof. Felix Waechter).

The Børsen, one of Copenhagen's oldest buildings, was severely damaged by fire on April 16, 2024. The task was to rebuild it as “Hjemsted for Dansk Håndværk”—a home for Danish craftsmanship—and to revive it as a place of social and cultural exchange.

The vision was to transform the Børsen into a vibrant showcase of Danish craftsmanship, not only preserving traditional knowledge but also emphasizing the repair and evolution of architectural heritage.

Xing Gao preserves the fire-damaged walls of the historic building and integrates them into a new structure that extends the original building westward. The existing ramp remains intact and is incorporated into the interior. By using different façade materials, she ensures a clear distinction between old and new elements while still achieving a cohesive and harmonious overall effect.