Two Awards at the Bremen Housing Award
On Thursday, the Bremen Housing Award 2025 was presented in the Grand Hall of Bremen City Hall. The Ellener Hof project was honored twice. The socially and ecologically oriented model neighborhood received a special award, and one of its residential buildings was recognized for its boldness.
De Zwarte Hond developed the urban masterplan for Ellener Hof as a timber-built neighborhood comprising approximately 500 apartments and townhouses. In collaboration with the participating building architects, we also prepared the design guideline manual, which explores the possibilities and limitations of renewable building materials – from the scale of the neighborhood down to the constructed detail.
The award is presented by the Senator for Construction, Mobility and Urban Development, the Bremen Chamber of Architects, and the Center for Building Culture. From 84 submitted projects, the jury selected the prize winners. The jury’s statement regarding the special award reads:
“The urban planning premises – preserving the existing trees, continuing the shared use of existing buildings, consistently constructing new buildings in timber, and creating a car-free neighborhood – shape the character of this exemplary ecological model district in Bremen. Ellener Hof stands as a prime example of rethinking urban development through social responsibility and ecological innovation.”
In its commendation of the 38-apartment building by gruppeomp, the jury stated:
“As the first building block (…) Construction Site 1 forms the urban nucleus of the new district. Topics such as affordable housing, healthcare provision, mobility, and urban timber construction are intelligently interwoven here – with a noticeable courage to pursue experimental solutions.”
We would like to thank the jury, Bremer Heimstiftung, the City of Bremen, RMPSL Landscape Architects, p+t Planung, gruppeomp Architektengesellschaft, and the many cooperative, community-oriented and private clients who realized this project over the past economically challenging years with pioneering spirit, courage, and strong ideals.
Exhibition of the awarded projects:
20 February – 31 March at the Bremen Center for Building Culture.
More information about Ellener Hof
Photos: Caspar Sessler