Two outstanding projects from the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam win the 2025 Building Conservation Innovation Award for Young Scientists

1st place: Stefan Schanzenbach - researching clay masonry construction
Stefan Schanzenbach won first prize for his Master's thesis, which was titled 'Analysis of Clay Masonry Construction and Its Typical Material Properties, as Well as Preliminary Tests of Needling Materials and Composite Mortars for the Structural Repair of Solid Clay Walls'. In his work, Mr Schanzenbach combined historical building research with experimental investigations, producing test specimens and examining historical samples to determine the main factors influencing material properties. He also tested various needling materials and composite mortars to evaluate their load-bearing capacity. These comprehensive studies provide a decisive basis for the appropriate maintenance of buildings and the effective, structural repair of cracks in solid clay constructions.
The thesis was supervised by Prof. Dr. Jörg Röder and Prof. Dr. Christof Ziegert.

3rd place: Ben Brodowski - Synagogue in Bützow 
Ben Brodowski took third place with his impressive work "The former synagogue of Bützow - building survey, renovation guidelines, building research and design proposal". He carried out a comprehensive survey and documentation of the building, which was erected in 1789 and is considered the oldest surviving synagogue in Mecklenburg. Mr Brodowski's work included archive and literature research, as-built plans, damage mapping and building age plans. On this basis, he developed a renovation concept with exemplary constructive measures. His work supplemented the structural analysis with a graphic reconstruction of the original appearance as well as a presentation of the history and religious background of the building.
Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Silke Straub-Beutin and State Conservator Dipl.-Ing. Jens Amelung supervised the work.

These awards emphasise the high level and innovative research of the FH Potsdam in the field of building conservation.

The award ceremony will take place on the 14th of November 2025 at the Hanseatic Renovation Days in Lübeck, where Stefan Schanzenbach will give the award-winning presentation. The awards come with prize money, with first place receiving 1,000.00 Euro and a book voucher worth 250.00 Euro, and third place being awarded 400.00 Euro and a 150.00 Euro book voucher.

Abstracts of the prizewinners' work will be published in the conference proceedings, and the finalists will enjoy two years' free membership of BuFAS, giving them valuable networking opportunities and access to specialist knowledge.

The FH Potsdam congratulates the award winners and is delighted with their contribution to the combination of scientific findings and practical applications in the construction industry.