Prein concert hall wins Lower Austria building award

The Hermannswörth concert hall in Prein an der Rax has won the 2026 Lower Austria Building Award, ORF reported. Korngut Niedergrünbach took second place, while Inzersdorf-Getzersdorf town hall came third.

The winning hall is a 160-square-metre extension to a historic country estate. Designed as a single-storey timber building with a polygonal floor plan, it has adjustable ceiling panels intended to improve acoustics. Light oak and dark smoked oak feature in the interior. The hall seats 120 and is intended for concerts and seminars.

The project was initiated by Gustav Ammerer, a chemist and cellist who supports young talent. The jury praised the high quality of its construction and architectural design.

Korngut Niedergrünbach, a roughly 320-year-old stone granary converted into a holiday and seminar hotel, received second place. The historic structure was repaired and adapted for its new use, with balconies and loggias connecting rooms to the surrounding landscape. The jury cited its innovation and contemporary functionality.

The new Inzersdorf-Getzersdorf town hall, next to the historic municipal office, placed third. Its landscaped forecourt creates a public space, while a path between the buildings connects facilities including the primary school, event hall and museum. The former municipal office now houses a library, an apartment and rooms for the local youth association. The jury described the project as an exemplary combination of architectural quality, functional reorganisation and local development.

The awards were presented at a gala at the Spitzenfabrik in St. Pölten. More than 80 projects were submitted. The jury assessed construction quality, planning and design, sustainability and functionality. Seven projects received commendations, including the renovation and expansion of Kottingbrunn primary school, and seven others were nominated, including Boulderbar St. Pölten.

The award is presented by the state of Lower Austria and the Lower Austria Construction Guild. Eligible projects must have been completed in the state within the previous four years. The next award is planned for 2028.