The German Architecture Museum (DAM) in Frankfurt am Main has unveiled its highly anticipated shortlist for the DAM Prize 2026, showcasing an impressive range of architectural projects that span from residential developments to educational and cultural buildings, including innovative village centers. The announced shortlist demonstrates the continued excellence in German architecture and design.
The selection encompasses a diverse spectrum of building types and typologies, reflecting contemporary architectural trends and societal needs. Notably, many projects on this year's shortlist involve renovations, extensions, or adaptive reuse of existing structures, highlighting the growing importance of sustainable building practices in modern architecture. This emphasis on building within existing contexts represents a significant shift toward more environmentally conscious architectural approaches.
Wood and hybrid timber construction projects feature prominently among the selected works, indicating the architectural community's increasing focus on sustainable materials and construction methods. These projects demonstrate innovative approaches to incorporating natural materials while meeting modern performance standards and aesthetic requirements.
Since 2007, the German Architecture Museum has been recognizing outstanding architectural achievements in Germany through this prestigious award. This marks the tenth consecutive year that the prize is being awarded in close collaboration with partner JUNG, establishing a strong tradition of excellence in German architectural recognition.
The project selection process involved a panel of experts and the architectural chambers of the German states, ensuring a comprehensive and professional evaluation. The only requirement for participation was project completion between the end of 2023 and spring 2025, allowing for recognition of the most recent architectural achievements.
From an initial longlist of 106 buildings in Germany and eight international projects by German firms, the jury has now selected 21 projects for the shortlist. Additionally, two buildings by German architectural offices located abroad are included outside of the main competition, showcasing the international reach of German architectural expertise.
The shortlisted projects represent work by prominent German architectural firms including Aretz Dürr Architektur from Cologne, BARarchitekten from Berlin, and gmp Architekten von Gerkan, Marg und Partner from Hamburg, among others. These selections span various project types from modular residential densification to innovative cultural venues and infrastructure projects.
With the shortlist now finalized, the jury process moves into its penultimate phase, with the selection of finalists scheduled for autumn 2025. The ultimate prize winner will be announced on January 30, 2026, during a ceremony that will also mark the opening of an exhibition featuring all shortlisted buildings at the DAM. The 2025 prize was awarded to AFF Architekten for their cultural building in Berlin-Neukölln, designed for the Schöpflin Foundation, setting a high standard for this year's competition.
