Křižanova sawmill - winning project

The city of Valašské Meziříčí has announced an open two-phase architectural design competition for the design of a bus terminal, municipal office, and parking garage. The competition also included the design of public space and a conceptual design for two residential buildings.
The competition follows up on the urban study from 2021. The transportation solution for the roundabout, the form of the pre-railway space, and the underpass connecting the area in question with the railway station building and its platforms were stipulated.

Annotation
Located at the intersection of transportation infrastructure and daily life in the city, the designed complex serves as both a place of arrival and transfer. Our approach to this complexity responds with a strategy based on phasing: it addresses the immediate functional needs outlined in the competition brief – bus terminal, municipal office, parking garage, public spaces, and residential buildings – while also creating a solid, adaptable structure capable of supporting future transformations. This means building resilient, inclusive, and sensitive infrastructure that responds to changing usage patterns, technological changes, and the needs of future generations.

Jury Evaluation
The jury positively assesses the readable urban and architectural concept that the proposal presents clearly and convincingly, and appreciates the critical evaluation of the original urban study, which subjects the proposal to reflection in relation to the real needs of the city and takes into account both the current state and the potential for further development of the site. The proposal offers a contemporary solution for solitary buildings placed in a park, which responds well to the surrounding development and enables straightforward phasing of construction. The clarity and character of individual buildings in relation to their functional content are perceived positively. The jury was convinced by the bold conception of the municipal office building, which fulfills the requirement for a new identity for the place and dignifiedly represents the representative function of this important city institution. The proposal excels in its economical and well-thought-out energy solution for the building, which meets current demands for efficiency and sustainability. A high level is also achieved in the graphic processing and overall sophistication of the proposal, which demonstrates a careful and high-quality approach by the authors. Significant attention is paid to the landscaping solution, both in the structure and hierarchy of pedestrian routes and in the integration of small architecture elements. The residential buildings are also well-designed, naturally complementing the character of the area. The jury appreciates the thorough consideration of environmental aspects throughout the entire proposal. The spatial arrangement of all proposed buildings feels clean and functional, contributing to comfortable use and the overall comprehensibility of the space. In competition with other proposals, this comprehensive, balanced, and ambitious solution, which best responds to the competition brief and offers a strong vision for the further development of the given place, convinced the jury the most.