The aim of the Heinz Stillger Prize is to strengthen the role of research in teaching and to promote continuity from the bachelor’s degree through the master’s degree to research and doctoral studies. The prize is endowed by the HEINZ STILLGER FOUNDATION, based in Wiesbaden. Founded in 1995, the foundation’s purpose includes “the financing of research and science in the field of architecture” and “the support of talented and deserving students of architecture.”

The Selection Process

A special feature of the prize is its two-stage selection process. After the projects were nominated by the individual subject areas, the jury—this year consisting of Prof. Dr. Christina Eisenbarth (Design and Technology of Resilient Architecture), Prof. Martin Roth (Design, Landscape Architecture and Urban Ecology), Katharina Frell-Dik (Research Associate, Design and Building Typology), Dr. Oliver Sukrow (Research Associate, Architectural Theory and Science), and the master’s students Julia Duda and Daniel Stahlberg—selected six projects for the second jury round from the thirteen submissions.

In this second round, the nominated students presented their projects to an audience in the form of a science slam. This took place—like the award ceremony itself—as part of the “12th Day of Research” of the department.

The prize is endowed with a total of €5,000, which was divided among the six nominees.

The Prize Winners and Their Projects

1st Prize
Stefanie Appelgrün
Additively Manufactured Acoustic Absorbers Made from Clay – Development of a monomaterial sound-absorbing structure made of clay using 3D printing.
Submitted by the Chair of Digital Design

Stefanie Appelgrün’s project “Additively Manufactured Acoustic Absorbers Made from Clay” investigates the previously little-explored question of whether additively manufactured clay structures can be used as sustainable sound absorbers—with the aim of replacing fossil-based or plastic acoustic materials with a monomaterial and fully recyclable clay solution.

Since clay itself has only low sound absorption, the scientific and design achievement of this work lies primarily in the development of geometric principles that generate acoustic effectiveness not from the material itself, but from the form. To this end, Stefanie Appelgrün combined generative design methods, computer-aided simulations, experimental reverberation chamber measurements, and additive manufacturing technologies into a continuous methodological chain.

In addition to its scientific quality, the work demonstrates great design potential and stands as an exemplary case of research that is innovative, interdisciplinary, and future-oriented.

Prize money: €2,000

2nd Prize
Dominik Laspeyres
Ceramic Glazes from Wood Ash – A practical experimental series for developing ceramic glaze formulas using the ash of various wood species in oxidation firing.
Submitted by the Chair of Sculptural Design

In his research project “Ceramic Glazes from Wood Ash,” Dominik Laspeyres systematically investigated the specific properties of different wood ashes in ceramic glaze firing and derived from this a basis for new, independent glaze recipes.

The work impresses with its deliberately exploratory approach. A triangular experimental setup allowed him to systematically vary relevant parameters and obtain robust comparative results.

In this way, he makes an independent contribution to the further development of ceramic glazes and to the exploration of alternative material sources. At the same time, the work provides a solid foundation for further research—and even holds potential for a future spin-off, as the developed concept is scalable and forward-looking.

Prize money: €1,250

3rd Prize
Anna Schönpflug
AKA-SWING – Experimental Development of a Woven Seating Surface
Submitted by the Chair of Architectural and Spatial Design

In the research module “AKA-Swing,” Anna Schönpflug focused on the experimental development of a woven seating surface for the seating furniture of a learning space in a former mechanical engineering hall at TU Darmstadt. The aim was to combine design thinking with practice-oriented material research and to create a durable, ergonomic, visually compelling, and ideally at any time repairable seating surface. The basis was a comprehensive analysis of historical upholstery techniques, materials, and connection methods, which revealed weaknesses and opened up new design possibilities.

In several hands-on experiments, Schönpflug systematically tested different weaving techniques and knot systems. A specially developed evaluation system enabled an objective assessment of shape stability, comfort, and technical feasibility. The final prototypes demonstrate how practice-based research within the design process can produce solutions that are both functional and of high design quality.

Prize money: €750

Commendations

Alessandro Garruto
Bespoke Bamboo Prototype – Design-oriented grid manipulation and physical simulation of form-active load-bearing systems made of bamboo
Submitted by the Chair of Digital Design
Prize money: €500

Yvonne Herbke
Modular Lightweight Wall System Made of Honeycomb Panels in Application – Documentation and further development of a prototype for extended use in interior construction with component connections in accordance with manufacturing rules
Submitted by the Chair of Sculptural Design
Prize money: €250

Simon Schneider
Lightweight Clay Bricks with Paper Additives – Investigation of newspaper and corrugated cardboard as alternative lightweight clay aggregates
Submitted by the Chair of Sculptural Design
Prize money: €250

Warm congratulations to all awardees!

The Founder

The founder of the prize is the freelance architect and TU alumnus Dr.-Ing. Heinz Stillger (1922–2008), who would have turned 100 years old on the day of the award ceremony. Heinz Stillger studied at the Department of Architecture of the Technical University of Darmstadt from 1947 to 1951. In 1952, he founded his own architectural office in Bad Camberg, which soon expanded to Wiesbaden and the Limburg-Weilburg district as well as Wetzlar. Through active participation in competitions in these regions, a large number of private and public buildings were realized by 1997. Heinz Stillger’s architecture is characterized by a strong commitment to the design ideas of the Werkbund and the Bauhaus. He was an architect through and through. By establishing his foundation, he made it clear that he had devoted his entire life to architecture.

The Foundation

The HEINZ STILLGER FOUNDATION is a legally independent civil-law foundation based in Wiesbaden. Founded in 1995, it pursues exclusively charitable purposes. Its mission includes scientific and artistic tasks, particularly in the field of architecture and craftsmanship in building, as well as the promotion of vocational education in this area. This mission is realized, among other things, through:

• Financing research and science in the field of architecture
• Supporting talented and deserving students of architecture
• Promoting and supporting the training of master craftsmen
• Promoting the preservation of historic monuments, particularly historic buildings

https://www.stillger-stiftung.de