The BDA Prize Bavaria, awarded every three years since 1967, is one of the most prestigious architectural awards in Bavaria. The 2025 edition marked its 26th presentation. All awarded projects are also nominated for the national BDA Grand Prize “Große Nike.” This year’s competition saw 108 project submissions, with 24 making the shortlist. The Student Award, introduced in 2016, received 39 entries.
Jan Münch, an architecture graduate from the TUM School of Engineering and Design, received the Student Award for his master's thesis, “Cooperative Housing Complexes of the 1920s to 1950s in Munich”, completed at the Chair of Recent Building Heritage Conservation under the supervision of Prof. Andreas Putz. His research explores the architectural evolution of these housing complexes, which were built in response to post-war housing shortages. Through archival research, interviews with housing cooperatives, and site analyses, Münch highlights their spatial qualities, modernization efforts, and current challenges. His work particularly focuses on energy-efficient renovations, adaptations to changing residential needs, and the strengthening of communal structures to ensure the long-term preservation of these housing units. Using a case study of a housing complex built between 1938 and 1952, he proposes strategic interventions that both respect historical structures and address contemporary requirements.
Several architecture firms associated with the Department of Architecture at the TUM School of Engineering and Design were also honored:
Prof. Florian Nagler (Florian Nagler Architekten GmbH) received the BDA Prize Bavaria for “Unser Gartenhaus – Haus ohne Zement” (Our Garden House – A House Without Cement). The three-story building was constructed using natural materials such as wood, clay, and natural stone, entirely avoiding cement and concrete foundations. Instead, it relies on steel screw foundations. The project exemplifies resource-efficient construction.
Another BDA Prize Bavaria 2025 was awarded to Architekturbüro eder, led by former TUM research associate Benjamin Eder, for the renovation of a 1960s house in Gauting.
Prof. Andreas Hild, with his firm Hild und K, received a recognition for the overnight shelter with medical facilities on Lotte-Branz-Straße in Munich.
Additionally, the firms Kofink Schels and Westner Schührer Zöhrer, both founded by long-time former TUM staff members, were each recognized for their respective projects.
More information on all award winners:
BDA Prize Bavaria 2025 – Overview