16 nominees announced for denkmal Gold Medal

How can historic buildings be preserved in a resource-efficient way while being adapted for contemporary use? How can traditional materials, skills and recipes be safeguarded for future generations? What role do digital technologies play in documentation, analysis and restoration? And how can cultural heritage be protected in times of crisis and war? These are fundamental questions affecting society as a whole that heritage conservation is currently addressing. The 16 nominees for the denkmal Gold Medal honour those dedicated to these issues – and whose outstanding achievements are making an impact in European heritage conservation.

Constantin Strobel, Project Director of denkmal, says: “Fifty-eight exhibitors entered their projects or products for this prestigious award of the European Trade Fair for Conservation, Restoration and Old Building Renovation. The nominees demonstrate just how diverse and forward-looking heritage conservation is today. They represent the expertise and commitment of people who preserve historic building fabric, pass on knowledge and develop new solutions for safeguarding our cultural heritage.”

The five winners of the 2026 Gold Medal will be announced on …

Friday, 6 November 2026, at 12 noon at the denkmal FORUM (Hall 2)

Media representatives are invited to attend the award ceremony and to speak with nominated exhibitors and experts about current challenges and prospects in heritage conservation.

The Gold Medals recognise in particular:

• outstanding projects involving the restoration of significant historic properties;
• innovative heritage conservation technologies and materials;
• the implementation of digital technologies;
• the preservation and transmission of traditional craft skills;
• successful approaches to attracting young talent; and
• exceptional civic engagement.

The nominees and their application statements:

• German Foundation for Monument Protection (Deutsche Stiftung Denkmalschutz, DSD): “Conditions for the protection of historic monuments are increasingly deteriorating. Identifying shortcomings, raising awareness and calling for greater transparency and commitment to our cultural heritage are more necessary than ever.”
• Freesuns SA, for integrating photovoltaic systems into listed roofs: “Historic roofs should preserve our past while powering our future. Freesuns Solaris™ Heritage tiles make both possible.”
• Joint stand of Saxon crafts and trades: “Cultural heritage lives on through craftsmanship. Many trades, one shared mission: preserving knowledge, passing it on and building the future together.”
• Glashütte Lamberts Waldsassen GmbH: “Every sheet of glass is both handmade and heritage. This keeps heritage conservation authentic where industrial glass could only imitate.”
• Hans Timm Fensterbau GmbH Co. KG, for the listed Federal Ministry of Health building in Berlin: “What can be preserved does not need to be rebuilt. That saves resources and safeguards genuine history.”
• HEMBUS Tapetenmanufaktur: “Traditional craftsmanship for modern projects: a genuine, one-of-a-kind Hembus piece for spaces with the highest standards. Individually designed and handcrafted in Germany.”
• Josef Müller Bedachungen GmbH & Co. KG: “With more than 300 years of experience, our company specialises in Solling sandstone roofing. In doing so, we help preserve historic buildings and safeguard a piece of history for the future.”
• Centre for Heritage Studies and Technologies at Otto-Friedrich University Bamberg: “The appropriate and sustainable management of the vast resource represented by historic monuments and the existing building stock requires knowledge accumulated over centuries as well as the research of tomorrow. InTraBau brings both together.”
• Kremer Pigmente GmbH & Co. KG, for reviving and preserving historic colour pigments: “Restoration begins with the pigment – we preserve the recipes of past centuries and the knowledge for generations to come.”
• Lorenz Leuchten, proprietor Mario Lorenz: “One hundred years do not stand for a single project, but for an attitude: preserving tradition, passing on knowledge and sustaining craftsmanship. That is sustainability in the truest sense, in the service of our culture.”
• Nebesys a.s., for integrating transparent roof systems: “NEBESYS makes historic roofs fit for the future: it preserves their familiar appearance while bringing light, views and new possibilities for use to existing buildings.”
• RIEGL International GmbH: “‘St. Stephen’s Cathedral Digital’ is a comprehensive 3D model of St. Stephen’s Cathedral, linked to detailed models, databases and information systems, as well as to the mapping of damage and restoration measures.”
• SCHOTT AG: “Our restoration glass, drawn using traditional manufacturing techniques, enables contemporary glazing solutions in heritage conservation, offering thermal insulation, solar protection and vandalism resistance.”
• Ukraine Art Aid Center e. V.: “Protecting cultural heritage in wartime means not letting up. The Ukraine Art Aid Center combines sustained commitment with practical support to help preserve Ukrainian cultural heritage.”
• Verein Schwarzes Kleeblatt e. V.: “Stones alone do not preserve history – it is the people who love them who bring them to life.”
• Vogtlandpioniere: “SchülerHandwerk 3.0 innovatively imparts enjoyment and knowledge of heritage conservation. In this Vogtlandpioniere project, experts and non-professionals work together enthusiastically, as equals, to preserve the built cultural heritage.”