ADVERTISING
Renovation combines historical substance with modern use
Darmstadt. The renovated gymnasium of the Georg Büchner School (GBS) has been awarded second prize in the "Public Building" category of the 2025 Hessian Monument Preservation Prize. The award ceremony took place on Wednesday (3rd) at Biebrich Palace in Wiesbaden.
The hall, which was built between 1958 and 1960 as part of the “masterpiece” by architect Hans Schwippert, serves not only for sports lessons, but also for the subject of drama and offers space for school events with up to 200 people.
Exemplary combination of historic preservation and climate protection
The jury praised the successful balance between historically sensitive renovation and adaptation to modern requirements. In addition to the modernization for school use, parts of the original furnishings were also preserved, including the cloakrooms in their original colors.
As part of the renovation, a photovoltaic system was also installed. "This project illustrates how, with careful planning, climate protection and sustainability can be successfully reconciled with the preservation of historical monuments," explained Michael Kolmer, head of the monument preservation department.
City treasurer André Schellenberg added: “The challenge of adapting historic preservation to modern requirements from the school, fire protection, heat and sound insulation, accessibility and climate protection has been successfully met through dialogue with all parties involved – and within budget.”
Sixth consecutive victory for Darmstadt
With the award for the gymnasium, which reopened in 2024, the prize has now gone to a Darmstadt monument for the sixth time in a row. Previous recipients include the Rhön-/Spessartring residential complex (2020), the Old Suburb Wall (2022), and most recently, the Ludwig Temple (2024).
Olaf Köhler, head of the Lower Monument Protection Authority, emphasized: “I am pleased that the award brings into focus a monument that is so important for Darmstadt’s reconstruction history.”
The laudatory speech highlighted the importance of the masterpieces for the post-war period – and how the renovation has now led this architectural milestone into the future.
(DARMSTADT – RED/PSD/stip)
