REAR Award 2026 | Shortlist – Transformation Category

Our project New Life for a Peat Shed has been nominated by the REAR Award jury in the Transformation category and shortlisted for the second round.

The REAR Transformation seeks architecture that rethinks the existing – recognising projects that open new perspectives on built heritage through conversion, extension or change of use, and that articulate a stance on transformation, building culture and the repairability of our built environment. The historic peat barn in Kolbermoor, facing demolition, was carefully dismantled, repaired and reconstructed in Schechen through self-build as a home and basket-weaving workshop. A thermally insulating timber-frame envelope with cellulose insulation, moisture-regulating earth plaster and renewable energy systems has resulted in a low-energy building that preserves historic fabric and demonstrates the long-term potential of historic timber structures.

The award was founded in 2025 by publicist Katharina Benjamin, architect Fabian Onneken and graphic designer Patrick Martin in Leipzig. The winners will be announced in June 2026, with the award ceremony taking place on 26 September 2026 in Leipzig.

More information: rear-award.com

Photos: Malte Fuchs (1–2)  | ZRS Architekten Ingenieure (3) | Stefanie Heringer (4)