Brno has a winner of the design competition for the Creative Center in the former prison

Brno - The Prague studio Kava won the architectural competition for the design of the Creative Center, which will be created by transforming the dilapidated former prison on Cejl Street in Brno. The winning proposal disturbed the structure the least while managing to utilize it the most, said Michal Sedláček, director of the Brno City Architect's Office, to reporters. The Creative Center is to serve as a hub for several hundred artists. The costs for its construction are estimated to be between 350 and 400 million crowns. The city aims to obtain a grant of 150 million. The work is expected to take place between 2020 and 2022.

The expert jury selected from seven proposals. The winning proposal is from the Kava studio, with authors Tomáš Gelien, Jakub Koňata, Jonáš Krýzl, Jan Novotný, Tomáš Novotný, and Robert Seidl. "The winning design maximally utilizes the capacity of the former penitentiary building. At the same time, it transforms the structure sensitively, taking into account the requirements of heritage protection," Sedláček stated.

Deputy Mayor Matěj Hollan (Žít Brno) mentioned that the design does not make any revolutionary changes to the building but instead combines history and respect for former prisoners. Independent and shared offices, artist studios, open workshops, editing rooms, a café, a music club, or a hall with a capacity of 250 people could be established at the site. "It is important that the design solution is open to further development of the creative center, which will largely be based on the needs of its users," Sedláček added.

The city will sign a contract with the winner. "We will proceed to the design phase, so it can go into zoning proceedings and building permits, to apply for funding. We hope to manage this and save the project," Hollan stated. According to Brno Mayor Petr Vokřál (ANO), the project is time-limited and has a tight schedule.

The prison is located in a so-called socially excluded area. "We were inspired by abroad, where such areas needed to gain new life, creatives, partners, pubs, low-threshold centers," Hollan said.

Last year, the Ministry of Culture declared the prison a cultural monument, so stricter rules must be followed during its reconstruction. The prison was established in the 18th century. It served its purpose from 1784 to 1956. It was replaced by the prison in Bohunice.