The European citizens' initiative "HouseEurope!" receives the OBEL Award 2025
The renovation initiative, co-initiated by the chair of Arno Brandlhuber, is being honoured. The OBEL Award, endowed with €100,000, has been recognizing social and ecological projects in architecture since 2019.
The Henrik Frode Obel Foundation in Denmark launched the OBEL Award in 2019 to honour social and ecological developments in architecture. The internationally renowned architecture prize is endowed with €100,000. In 2025, it will be awarded to the European citizens' initiative "HouseEurope!", which was co-initiated by the professorship of Arno Brandlhuber. The initiative advocates for a "Right to Reuse" for existing buildings. The foundation honours the project team—Arno Brandlhuber, Ludwig Engel, Olaf Grawert, Alina Kolar and others—of the registered non-profit organization for their Europe-wide commitment to transforming the construction sector.
The jury, chaired by architect Nathalie de Vries of MVRDV, praises "HouseEurope!" for its spearheading role in raising awareness and mobilising public support for a paradigm shift in European construction and housing culture, according to the press release. "In an industry driven by polluting practices of demolition and for-profit development, 'HouseEurope!' forefronts architecture as a tool for the political and public good." The award will be officially presented on October 21 in Brussels. The external page signature collection for the initiative will continue in all EU member states until the end of January 2026.