IU Innovation Award 2025: These are the winners
Award ceremony at the Real Estate Arena in Hanover
At this year's Real Estate Arena in Hanover, the most innovative theses in the field of construction and real estate were honoured on May 14th.
- The IU Innovation Award 2025 honours outstanding theses on current challenges in the real estate and construction industry.
- Topics such as building greening, the Green Deal and iconographic architecture demonstrate the range of award-winning projects.
- The award creates visibility for young talents in exchange with the professional public and the industry.
Hanover, 16 May, 2025. The winners of the IU Innovation Award 2025 have been announced: The most innovative theses in the field of construction and real estate were honoured on May 14 at this year's Real Estate Arena in Hanover. Students and graduates from eleven different German universities submitted their bachelor's or master's theses. Three of the four award-winning projects were created by students at IU International University of Applied Sciences – a strong signal for the academic standards and practical training provided.
Innovative solutions for the property and construction industry
First place, endowed with 2,500 euros, went to Aslinur Semizoglu from Aschaffenburg University of Applied Sciences. Her empirical analysis of the need for change in the future office real estate market thoroughly impressed the jury.
Sabine Feidiker, a bachelor's student in construction project management at IU International University of Applied Sciences, was delighted to take second place and receive 1,500 euros. She impressed with her work on the building physics potential of greening buildings.
Third place went to Moritz Bergmann, a master's student in real estate management at IU, with his analysis of the political regulation of the European Green Deal. His work was awarded 1,000 euros.
The additional special prize of 750 euros went to Fabian Rass, a bachelor's student in architecture at IU. He impressed the jury with his conceptual work on iconographic approaches in the construction of a visitor center for Neuschwanstein Castle.
Florian Ebrecht, professor at IU and initiator of the Innovation Award, emphasised: "The award once again underscores the diversity and relevance of our students' research in Germany. Topics such as sustainability, regulation, and architectural innovations reflect the current state of the real estate industry and demonstrate how much we need new approaches and food for thought."
With the IU Innovation Award, IU International University of Applied Sciences promotes creative, scientifically sound solutions to current challenges. Bachelor's and master's theses that stand out through innovative approaches or practical implementations were eligible for submission. This year, the real estate industry was the focus of the Innovation Award: The award sought pioneering innovations and new perspectives in the areas of decarbonisation, smart energy solutions, neighborly cooperation, and new levels of service and communication. The award was initiated in cooperation with the meravis real estate group, which provided the total prize money of 5,750 euros.
Research & Innovation outside of work
The three IU award winners earned their award-winning degrees via distance learning. The resulting flexibility not only gave them sufficient time for professional and personal commitments, but also gave them the freedom to develop innovative solutions. The distance learners received support through personal mentoring from their instructors and the help of digital systems, such as the AI learning assistant "Syntea," to personalise their learning experience in the best possible way and promote individual growth.
The winners and their projects
1st place (2,500 €)
Aslinur Semizoglu
Aschaffenburg University of Applied Sciences
“Empirical analysis of the need for change in the office real estate market of the future to derive a recommendation for action”
Semizoglu impressed with her practical relevance and the central conclusion that office space must become more flexible, sustainable and digital.
2nd place (1,500 €)
Sabine Feidiker
IU International University of Applied Sciences, Bachelor of Arts Construction Project Management
“The building physics potential of greening buildings”
Feidiker came to the key conclusion that greening buildings improves thermal and sound insulation, but that care and maintenance costs are critical success factors.
3rd place (1,000 €)
Moritz Bergmann
IU International University of Applied Sciences, Master of Science in Real Estate Management
“Political Regulation of the European Green Deal – Impact of Sustainable Modernisation Measures on Tenant Acceptance”
Bergmann examined the impact of building renovations resulting from the EU Green Deal. His conclusion: Successful renovations depend on communication and financial compensation models.
Special prize for excellent work (750 €)
Fabian Rass
IU International University of Applied Sciences, Bachelor of Arts Architecture
“Welcome to Wonderland – A Visitor Centre for Neuschwanstein Castle”
Rass's bachelor's thesis focused on the design of a visitor centre for Neuschwanstein Castle based on iconographic approaches. He focused on a solution that conveys the history, magic, and identity of the residence.
Further information on the IU Innovation Award can be found at: https://www.iu.de/lp/iu-innovationspreis
ABOUT THE MERAVIS REAL ESTATE GROUP
The meravis Real Estate Group is a nationwide real estate service provider based in Hanover and Hamburg. For over 75 years, it has managed approximately 12,650 of its own residential and commercial units and has developed over 23,500 residential units. Its portfolio includes residential buildings, student apartments, hotels, retirement homes, and commercial properties. The company, with approximately 220 employees, is managed by Matthias Herter and Prof. Dr. Florian Ebrecht. Its future goals include sustainable, digital residential neighbourhoods, including through its own PropTech platform Spiri, as well as through initiatives in New Work, sustainability, and digitalisation.
With nearly 130,000 students, IU International University of Applied Sciences (IU) is the largest university in Germany. The private, state-recognised educational institution, based in Erfurt, began teaching in 2000 and now has 37 campuses. IU stands for maximum flexibility in study: whether through dual study, distance learning or on campus – students from over 160 nations tailor their educational path to suit their individual circumstances. With more than 200 degree programmes at bachelor’s, master’s and MBA level, IU imparts practical skills. Innovative learning concepts foster targeted, future-proof skills for an increasingly AI-driven world of work. A modern, digitally supported learning environment and the use of artificial intelligence enable effective, personalised learning. As a pioneer in this field, IU has developed its own digital learning companion, ‘Syntea’, which has been in use since 2023. A network of over 15,000 companies – including Motel One, Vodafone, AWO and Deutsche Bahn – makes IU a strong partner in the training of skilled workers and consistently links academic teaching with practical experience. Further information at: iu.org
Contact
|
IU International University of Applied Sciences Press Department |