10th year of the Diploma Thesis Exhibition 2009

The winner of this year's Diploma Exhibition has become the graduate of the VŠUP Prague, Pavel Filgas, with the proposal "Spirit versus Time - A Pause" under the guidance of Doc. Akad. arch. Jindřich Smetana.

Every year, the Czech Chamber of Architects announces the Diploma Exhibition of graduates from architectural schools and faculties with which it collaborates permanently. The goal of this Exhibition is to compare the quality of education at these schools, through which ČKA strives to raise the standard of architectural education. The basic criterion for evaluating submitted works is their architectural quality. The jury evaluates the works regardless of the type of assignment.

A total of 57 graduates registered for this year’s tenth edition, including 36 from the FA ČVUT in Prague, 8 from FA VUT in Brno, 3 from FUA TU in Liberec, 6 from VŠUP in Prague, 2 from AVU in Prague, and 2 from FAPPZ ČZU in Prague. Two of the registered students met the conditions for the award of a special Allplan prize and one for the special ArchiCAD prize.

Evaluation Committee:
Ing. arch. Petr Mráz, Ing. arch. Zdeněk Rychtařík, Ing. Luděk Rýzner, Ing. Tomáš Novotný, Doc. Ing. arch. Tomáš Brix, Ing. arch. Tomáš Jiránek (substitute)

Awards Granted:
1st prize ČKA 25,000 CZK
2nd prize ČKA 15,000 CZK
3rd prize ČKA 10,000 CZK
Special Allplan prize: license to use Allplan 2009 software worth 100,000 CZK,
Special ArchiCAD prize: license to use ArchiCAD 12 worth 69,400 CZK,

The results of the 10th edition were ceremoniously announced on September 15, 2009, at the ČKA premises in Prague and presented in the form of an exhibition that will last from September 15 to October 9, 2009. At the same time, the results are presented in a virtual gallery at www.diplomy.cz, where all awarded works from previous editions of the Exhibitions are also displayed. The results are also presented in professional media. The submitted works will also be available for viewing during traveling exhibitions in the first half of 2010 at participating schools.

Awards Granted:

1st prize ČKA amounted to 25,000 CZK
Competition proposal No. 6 - Filgas Pavel - Spirit versus Time - A Pause - Doc. Akad. arch. Jindřich Smetana - VŠUP Prague

2nd prize ČKA amounted to 15,000 CZK
Competition proposal No. 21 - Král Tomáš - Housing in a tower block in Prague-Holešovice - Doc. Ing. arch. Roman Koucký - FA ČVUT Prague

3rd prize amounted to 10,000 CZK
Competition proposal No. 23 - Kruliš Václav - Kladno-Koněv Prison - Conversion of former coke-ovens in Kladno - Doc. Ing. arch. Michal Hlaváček - FA ČVUT Prague

Special Allplan prize - license to use the software worth 100,000 CZK
Competition proposal No. 30 - Mihulka Rostislav - Letná - Prof. Ing. arch. Jan Bočan - FA ČVUT Prague

Special ArchiCAD prize - license to use the software worth 69,400 CZK
was not awarded

Evaluation of the jury for individual competition proposals:

1st prize ČKA - Competition proposal No. 6 - Filgas Pavel - Spirit versus Time - A Pause - Doc. Akad. arch. Jindřich Smetana - VŠUP Prague
The proposal presents a new road chapel built along the R49 expressway in the middle of the Vizovice Hills. This simple task is formally placed in the space between opposing traffic directions, with access from a motorway underpass, utilizing an otherwise unusable plot of land in a different manner. It contributes to the enhancement of amenities along the route by adding another "spiritual" dimension. It seeks to revive the neglected phenomenon of the road as a living space, as we know from the past or less developed societies. The well-chosen dynamic shape invites a pause. The fact that the dedication of the chapel is not specified indicates an effort for a universal approach to the spiritual world. The concept is ideologically and technically balanced both internally and externally.

2nd prize ČKA - Competition proposal No. 21 - Král Tomáš - Housing in a tower block in Prague-Holešovice - Doc. Ing. arch. Roman Koucký - FA ČVUT Prague
The author attempts to grasp the concept of a tall building set in a commercial area and does not hesitate to place a 21-story building in the center of Prague. The jury stated that the task is convincingly presented with precise handling of the architectural and technical aspects. The graphical part of the task is also impressively processed, showcasing high professional standards.

3rd prize ČKA - Competition proposal No. 23 - Kruliš Václav - Kladno-Koněv Prison - Conversion of former coke-ovens in Kladno - Doc. Ing. arch. Michal Hlaváček - FA ČVUT Prague
In the first phase, the jury was captivated by the unusual yet entirely functional concept for the conversion of the industrial complex. The use of existing, typically valuable, and extraordinarily valued coke-oven structures for the city, with the proposed completion of new structures, in areas cleared for reuse from contaminated land.
In further examinations during subsequent phases, the jury was convinced by the inventive transformation of five significant elements of Kladno's industrial architecture.

Special Allplan prize - Competition proposal No. 30 - Mihulka Rostislav - Letná - Prof. Ing. arch. Jan Bočan - FA ČVUT Prague
The author of the proposal created an exceptionally large 3D model of the addressed location, while the graphic concept remained civil and did not slide into cheap visual effects that computer graphics may sometimes tempt architects into.