From 5 to 7 November 2026, the Federal Foundation for Building Culture will be taking part in the ‘denkmal’ trade fair in Leipzig for the third time with its own stand. As one of the leading trade fairs for heritage conservation, restoration and the refurbishment of existing buildings, it provides an important platform for discussing the future of building within the existing built environment.
In its 2022/23 Building Culture Report, the Federal Foundation for Building Culture had already set a new course for architectural and social transformation with the paradigm shift towards a ‘New Culture of Conversion’. Crucial to this transformation are the knowledge, experience and design quality of the skilled trades. After all, sustainable building and high-quality design can only be achieved through the collaboration of all those involved in the construction process. With the presentation of the new Building Culture Report 26/27, ‘Design – Processes, Building, Cohesion’, and the ‘Building Culture Manifesto on Training in the Skilled Trades’, the Federal Foundation for Building Culture is placing the spotlight on vocational training and further education in the skilled trades, as well as on collaboration between vocational and academic qualifications.
We would like to discuss how these links can be strengthened and what opportunities the preservation of existing buildings in particular offers for close collaboration between the skilled trades and the planning sector in the panel discussion ‘Coming Together in Renovation’.
Programme
11.45–11.55 am Welcome and presentation: ‘Manifesto on Building Culture for Training in the Skilled Trades’
Christoph Kollert, Deputy Chairman of the Board, Federal Foundation for Building Culture
11.55 am–12.30 pm Panel discussion: ‘Coming together in the context of renovation’
Moderator: Christoph Kollert, Federal Foundation for Building Culture
Anne Keßler, Head of the ‘Social Urban Development’ Division, Federal Ministry of Housing, Urban Development and Construction
Prof. Markus Schlempp, Coburg University of Applied Sciences
Prof. Benedikt Buchmüller, Coburg University of Applied Sciences
Salome Ehrenberger, Public Relations Officer at Holzmanufaktur Rottweil
Carolin Hensch, architect and third-year apprentice at Holzmanufaktur Rottweil
The Federal Foundation for Building Culture has been a regular exhibitor at trade fairs in the property and construction sectors since 2013, acting as an advocate for high-quality building design and construction. It also attends international trade fairs, where it promotes a sensibly built environment and the qualities of German building culture.
At the trade fair, the Federal Foundation reaches key players in the field of building culture: specialist firms in the preservation of historic buildings, craftspeople, conservators, institutions and educational establishments, as well as companies offering specialist products and national and international market leaders. With a wide range of information on training and further education opportunities, the trade fair is also explicitly aimed at future skilled workers – another important target group for the Federal Foundation for Building Culture.
