Caparol Architecture Award 2026: Five Projects Set Benchmarks for the Building Culture of Tomorrow

With its tenth edition, the Caparol Architecture Award reinforces its commitment to highlighting excellence in architecture and design culture. Since its launch in 2004 under the guiding theme “Color – Structure – Surface,” the competition has evolved into an established platform for professional exchange on architecture, materiality, color, sustainability, and building culture. The first-time collaboration with the internationally renowned architecture magazine DETAIL introduces new perspectives and creates additional opportunities to deepen the dialogue on key topics in architecture and building culture.

Two-Stage Selection Process with Independent Juries

The competition followed a two-stage selection process. In the fall of 2025, an independent nomination jury of 13 renowned architects selected a total of 108 projects from across Europe as candidates for the award. Of these, 81 projects were formally submitted in the final round. In addition, 27 entries were submitted for the Caparol Students’ Award.

In April 2026, the seven-member evaluation jury convened for one and a half days at Gutshof Murjahn in Forst an der Weinstraße to determine the winners. The assessment focused on architectural and design quality, functional and conceptual execution, and the responsible use of color, structure, and surface. The final decisions were reached after several rounds of voting and intensive discussion.

A distinctive feature of the Caparol Architecture Award is its professional and brand-neutral independence. The juries make their decisions solely on the basis of architectural quality and the defined evaluation criteria. The use of Caparol products is not a prerequisite. The award is therefore intended as a contribution to promoting architectural excellence rather than as a product award.

The Five Award Winners of 2026

Category: New Building

The award was presented to Markelfingen Multi-Purpose Hall by Steimle Architekten. The jury particularly recognized the project’s consistent implementation as a community-oriented timber structure and its successful combination of architectural quality, regional materials, and sustainable construction.

Category: Building in Existing Contexts

The award went to the Extension and Renovation of the Wolfmatten Housing Cooperative by Studio Balthasar Wirz. The project exemplifies how existing residential buildings can be future-proofed through minimal intervention, high resource efficiency, and exceptional design care.

Special Award: Building with Color

The special award was presented to Jägerbau Headquarters by Innauer Matt Architekten ZT. The jury highlighted the distinctive and consistent use of colored materials, which give the building a strong identity, expressive character, and urban presence.

Special Award: Circular Construction

The winner in this category is Werkhof Uri by Felgendreher Olfs Köchling Architektur. The project impressed the jury through its rigorous implementation of circular construction principles and its intelligent use of reusable materials and durable building systems.

Caparol Students’ Award

The Caparol Students’ Award 2026 was presented to Yannik Schümann for his design project “St. Matthäi Community Center.” The jury was convinced by the proposal’s sensitive evolution of a historic church ensemble and its contribution to strengthening community life within the neighborhood.

Experiencing Architecture: Winners’ Trip to Belgium

As part of the award, the winners will participate in a four-day architectural study trip to Antwerp and Ghent. Taking place immediately after the awards ceremony, the trip provides opportunities for professional exchange and visits to outstanding architectural projects.

With its tenth edition, the Caparol Architecture Award further confirms its role as a platform for architectural excellence and professional discourse on the future of building. The award-winning projects demonstrate how social responsibility, sustainability, and high design standards can be combined to create pioneering architectural solutions.

The Independent Juries of the Caparol Architecture Award 2026

Nomination Jury: Martin Bez (Bez + Kock Architekten Generalplaner), Christian Brückner (Brückner & Brückner Architekten), Julian Weyer (C.F. Møller Danmark A/S), Martin Boden-Peroche (CODE UNIQUE Architekten), Esther Bruzkus (Bruzkus Greenberg), Simon Frommenwiler (HFF Architekten), Marc Oei (LRO), Karim Scharabi (netzwerkarchitekten), Isabella Leber (Pool Leber Architekten), Jakob Dunkl (querkraft architekten zt), Stefan Wirth (RHWZ Architekten), Andreas Schulte (Henning Larsen), and Stefan Forster (Stefan Forster Architekten).

Evaluation Jury: Jessica Borchardt (BAID architektur, Jury Chair), Prof. Gerd Jäger (Baumschlager Eberle Architekten), Annette Flohrschütz (David Chipperfield Architects), Jeanette Kunsmann (DETAIL Architecture), Lars Schomburg (Nickl & Partner), Christian Hein (RKW Architektur+), and Maic Auschrat (Caparol).

For more information, please visit: http://www.caparol.de/architekt-und-planer/caparol-architektur-award/preistraeger-2026

About DAW SE

DAW SE – Better Building Performance. Better Life. Since 1895. DAW SE, based in Ober-Ramstadt, Germany, has been developing, manufacturing and distributing innovative coating solutions for buildings and specialized applications for more than 130 years. The company pursues the vision of transforming buildings into spaces that protect, inspire and connect people. Today, DAW is led operationally by Dr. Ralf Murjahn as the fifth generation of the founding family and is Europe’s largest fully family-owned manufacturer of decorative architectural coatings. Based on its strong market position in Germany, DAW operates in around 50 countries across and beyond Europe. In 2025, the company generated revenue of more than 1.5 billion euros and employs around 6,000 people worldwide. Its two flagship brands, Caparol and Alpina, are among Europe’s most trusted names in quality, customer-centric innovation, and sustainability.

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