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 Protection Prize. The award ceremony took place on Wednesday (3) at Biebrich Palace in Wiesbaden.
The hall, which was built between 1958 and 1960 as part of the "master building" by architect Hans Schwippert, is used not only for physical education classes but also for the subject of performing arts and offers space for school events with up to 200 people.
Exemplary combination of monument protection and climate protection
The jury praised the successful balance between renovation in keeping with historic preservation principles and adaptation to modern requirements. In addition to modernizing the building for school operations, parts of the original furnishings were also preserved, including the cloakrooms in their original color scheme.
A photovoltaic system was also installed during the renovation. "This project illustrates how, with careful planning, climate protection and sustainability can be successfully reconciled with historic preservation," explained Michael Kolmer, Head of the Department of Historic Preservation.
City Treasurer André Schellenberg added: "The challenge of adapting historic preservation to modern requirements of schools, fire, heat, and sound insulation, accessibility, and climate protection was successfully met through dialogue with all parties involved – and within budget."
Sixth consecutive win for Darmstadt
With the award for the gymnasium, which will reopen in 2024, the prize goes to a Darmstadt monument for the sixth time in a row. Previous recipients include the Rhön-/Spessartring residential complex (2020), the Old Suburban Wall (2022), and most recently the Ludwig Temple (2024).
Olaf Köhler, head of the Lower Monument Protection Authority, emphasized: "I am pleased that this award brings attention to a monument so important to Darmstadt's reconstruction history."
The laudatory speech highlighted the significance of these masterpieces for the post-war period – and how the renovation has now brought this architectural milestone into the future.
(Darmstadt - Red/PSD/Stip)
