The research publication “In Search of the Indefinite” by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Steffen Kunkel (Mainz University of Applied Sciences) on the pilgrimage complex in Neviges has been included in the “25 Most Beautiful German Books of 2026” collection of the Stiftung Buchkunst. The award honors books that stand out for their design and conceptual quality.
The publication is dedicated to the significant pilgrimage complex designed by architect Gottfried Böhm and combines scholarly research and original photographs with a sophisticated book design. According to the jury’s statement, it makes the connection between architecture, space, and scholarly reflection visible even beyond the boundaries of the discipline. “In this volume, Steffen Kunkel sheds light on the entire complex for the first time and, through its generous format, also conveys Böhm’s design philosophy,” the jury’s statement continued.
“I am very pleased to receive this award because it highlights a post-disciplinary practice: the book as a material medium of knowledge in which different research approaches, theory, and photography intertwine on an equal footing—made possible in part by the collaboration with designer Prof. Markus Dreßen (Academy of Visual Arts, Leipzig/Spector Books),” says Prof. Dr.-Ing. Steffen Kunkel, professor of architectural theory, building science, and design in the Interior Architecture and Spatial Design program within the Department of Design at Mainz University of Applied Sciences.
Each year, the Stiftung Buchkunst honors books that set new standards in design, production, and overall conception. The selection of award-winning titles is considered one of the most important recognitions for book design in Germany.
