The Forum for Sustainable Architecture, initiated by the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB), will take place on 21 October 2026 in Mannheim. This specialist event, aimed at architectural professionals, addresses climate protection and sustainability in construction. The DGNB is supported by the Chambers of Architects of Baden-Württemberg and North Rhine-Westphalia, as well as the Chamber of Architects and Town Planners of Hesse. A central component of the forum is the presentation of the German Sustainability Award for Architecture, which will take place on the evening of the event.
Dr. Christine Lemaitre, Managing Director of the DGNB, stated that the forum appeals to architects who want to take concrete steps regarding climate protection and sustainability. She emphasised that the focus is on honest accounts of experience rather than flawless project presentations, to spark discussions that bring clarity to the challenges of everyday planning. The event will be jointly hosted by the aforementioned chambers, whose presidents – Prof. Amandus Samsøe Sattler, Katja Domschky, Gerhard Greiner and Markus Müller – will open the proceedings at 13:00.
Key Topics and Contributions to Discussion
The afternoon programme of the forum focuses on the main themes of sufficiency and low-tech. The primary focus will be on discussing the appropriate use of technology in buildings, the responsibility of planners, and the role of regulatory frameworks. A keynote speaker is the author and dramaturge John von Düffel, who will explore the question of essential needs in a personal context under the title “The Right Measure”. A number of other experts have been confirmed for the programme.
- —Florian Dilg (German Federal Chamber of Architects)
- —Andrea Georgi-Tomas (ee concept)
- —Martin Haas (haascookzemmrich STUDIO 2050)
- —Michael Halstenberg (Franßen & Nusser Rechtsanwälte)
- —Andreas Hofer (IBA’27 StadtRegion Stuttgart)
- —Dr. Christine Lemaitre (DGNB)
- —Götz Rehn (Alnatura)
Following the presentations and discussions, the 14th German Sustainability Award for Architecture will be presented. This award, a cooperation between the DGNB and the German Sustainability Award Foundation, recognises outstanding sustainable architectural projects. Stefan Schulze-Hausmann, initiator of the German Sustainability Award, will moderate the awards ceremony. The finalists of the award will present their projects live on stage. This year, for the first time, the other nominees will also be introduced to the expert audience. The finalists and the winning project will be announced on the day of the event. The selection of the nine nominated projects will be made shortly.
Participation and Recognition as Continuing Professional Development
The participation fee for the Forum for Sustainable Architecture is 50 EUR (including VAT). It is possible to redeem the entry fee as an education voucher at the DGNB Academy. Students, architects in practical training, and employees of non-profit organisations are exempt from the fee. The event is recognised by the participating chambers as continuing professional development with five points. Markus Lehrmann, Chief Executive of the Chamber of Architects of North Rhine-Westphalia, highlighted that the forum offers a platform for exchange with like-minded individuals who understand climate and resource protection as an essential trend and wish to implement it through sensible planning and construction.
