Completion of the South Bohemian Research Library - competition results

The subject of the competition was the preparation of an architectural design for the extension of the South Bohemian Scientific Library in České Budějovice. The design was to include both the extension and the necessary construction modifications of the existing building. In addition to spatial, operational, and functional arrangements, the design was also meant to resolve the aesthetic appearance of the building and modifications of related public space areas according to the competition conditions, particularly while adhering to the economic capabilities of the client.

Organizer: South Bohemian Scientific Library in České Budějovice
Competition Secretary: Bc. Štěpán Vondráček
Regular Jury Members - Dependent
Mgr. Ivo Kareš, director of the library
Mgr. Patrik Červák, head of the Department of Culture and Heritage Care of the South Bohemian Region
JUDr. Tomeš Vytiska, councilor of the South Bohemian Region

Regular Jury Members - Independent
Ing. arch. MgA. Michal Fišer
Doc. Ing. akad. arch. Jan Šépka
Mgr. A. Luboš Zemen
Doc. Ing. arch. Radek Kolařík

Substitutes of the Jury - Dependent
Mgr. Ivana Stráská, first deputy governor of the South Bohemian Region
Mgr. Petr Podhola, member of the council of the South Bohemian Region

Substitutes of the Jury - Independent
Ing. arch. MgA. Petr Uhlík
Ing. arch. Filip Landa

Date of the competition: October 7, 2016 - December 23, 2016
Date of publication of the results: January 31, 2017
Number of submitted designs: 6
Total awards and prizes: 1,080,000 CZK

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1st Prize - 300,000 CZK
Author: Kuba & Pilař architekti s.r.o.
Jury evaluation: The design expands the library with a lapidary form of a "floating" single-storey extension, which is connected to the original building only at the location of the current entrance. The outer façade consists of protruding vertical glass copilot lamellas with printing, which create a shading element while simultaneously obscuring the activities inside and outside the building. The horizontal mass corresponds to the operational and spatial requirements of the client for creating a new barrier-free entrance to the building and expanding the freely selectable space in connection with the entrance area of the building. This solution allows the library to freely provide access to more than 130,000 volumes of books and periodicals. At the same time, it maintains the existing building's dominant position and space for future reconstruction. The study includes modifications to the entrance and surrounding public areas, as well as a new parking lot and transport connection to Lidická Street. At the same time, both existing memorials will be relocated and modified. - maintains the dominant position of the existing building - enhances the solitary development of the entire area - has a clear layout on one level - meets the operational requirements of the library - volumetrically, structurally, and financially it is a reasonable and economical solution - the parameters of the extension respect the position of heritage care Recommendations for further development: - until the construction of the roundabout is completed, it is necessary to propose a variant solution for transport connection (related to modifications of the public space) - the connection of both buildings by a connecting corridor is not convincingly resolved - resolve access from parking to the building in a more suitable way - consider the orientation of study areas towards the park.

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2nd Prize - 240,000 CZK

Author: Ivan Kroupa architekti s.r.o.
Jury evaluation: 
- generosity of spatial concept, structurally and financially it is a demanding solution - effort for urbanistic completion of the entire area, clear orientation of the building - meets the operational requirements of the library - barrier-free access from parking is problematic

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3rd Prize - 180,000 CZK
Author: 
Projektil Architekti a.r.o.
Jury evaluation: - retains the solitude of the existing building and strengthens the significance of the institution through an extension - optimally utilizes the potential of the existing building in terms of spatial arrangement, but operationally unsatisfactory - maximally preserves park areas with quality terrain modeling - is contrary to the position of heritage care