The Albany Gazette - Experts Debate Limits of Heritage Protection and Digital Rescue at Leipzig Denkmal 2026

The European trade fair for heritage conservation, restoration, and historic building renovation, Denkmal 2026, opened in Leipzig from November 5 to 7. The event centered on the friction between the mandate to preserve historical fabric and the practical demands of modernization, with a primary focus on determining how much preservation society, property owners, and investors can sustainably support.

The opening panel, titled "How much heritage can we and (still) afford?", addressed the frustration many feel when preservation regulations are perceived as obstacles to necessary renovations. Moderated by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Alexander Stahr of HTWK Leipzig, the discussion featured Prof. Dr. Thomas Drachenberg, State Conservator and Deputy Director of the Brandenburg State Office for Monument Preservation; Alexander Poetzsch, President of the Federal Association of German Architects (BDA); and Andreas Bugiel, Managing Director of Bennert GmbH.

Drachenberg clarified that the debate often misunderstands the dual structure of monument protection. The first phase is a legal determination: an object possesses heritage value, a status enshrined in law regardless of the owner's personal circumstances or financial situation. He cited the Leipzig City Hall as a protected entity irrespective of its current functional utility.

The second phase involves assessing the feasibility of measures. Drachenberg contrasted a vacant, decaying villa in Frankfurt (Oder) with a similar property in Potsdam that attracted multiple bids for preservation. In Brandenburg, the focus is often on securing structures against further decay, whereas in Potsdam, the search is for the best conceptual approach to long-term retention. This distinction requires specialized expertise and clear communication between municipal authorities, investors, and architects.

Addressing criticism that preservation hinders modernization, Drachenberg noted that 95 percent of ongoing cases nationwide proceed without issue. The controversial five percent typically involve requests for demolition where no compromise is possible. He described Brandenburg as having a "culture of enabling," particularly regarding solar installations, emphasizing that the goal is to clarify how changes can succeed rather than prevent them.

Practical implementation was highlighted by Jürgen Krieg, Managing Director and co-author of the new handbook "Monument Preservation – Manual for Architects." Krieg introduced the concept of "future-proof planning," which extends beyond structural safety to include usability, comfort, and energy efficiency. He noted that the need for technical ventilation systems in historic buildings depends heavily on usage patterns and building fabric, sometimes making regular window ventilation sufficient, as argued by BDA President Poetzsch.

Krieg also emphasized ecological sustainability, stating that reusing historical building materials is the original form of sustainable construction. He argued that renovation is often more environmentally sound than new construction.

A key innovation at the fair was the "Monument Hackathon" organized by the platform Orange Liste. Matthias Binninger, the event organizer, explained that the hackathon aims to compress the typical two-year planning process into two days. By integrating technical, preservationist, content, business model, financing, and organizational perspectives, the goal is to present viable solutions on the third day.

The inaugural project focused on the St. Peter community house in Bad Waldsee, southern Baden-Württemberg. The building requires significant renovation, but its future use and funding remain uncertain as local church communities face substantial challenges. Orange Liste facilitates this by allowing anyone to upload images and information of endangered buildings within a minute, aiming to connect professionals with laypeople to find "rescue constellations" for structures that might otherwise be overlooked.

Beyond strategic discussions, the fair showcased technological advancements, including hemp-based building materials, reed roof restoration techniques, and the use of reed as insulation. Digital solutions, including artificial intelligence applications in conservation, were also presented.

(P.Davis--TAG)