Grand Prix of Architects has a wooden cottage in Doksy by studio FAM

Prague - The Grand Prix for Architects 2015 was awarded to the cottage by the lake in Doksy designed by Pavel Nasadil and Jan Horký from the FAM studio. The international jury selected the winner from 88 registered buildings constructed in the Czech Republic last year. The lifetime achievement award was given to architect Miroslav Řepa, the author or co-author of several Czechoslovak pavilions at world exhibitions Expo.
    The results of the Grand Prix were announced today by the organizing Association of Architects at the Trade Fair Palace, where the exhibition of the competition works also began. The winning wooden cottage with a simple floor plan impressed the international jury with how it is "unobtrusively hidden among the high surrounding trees, framing not only the beautiful views across the lake but also providing necessary shelter in a surprisingly simple yet luxurious manner."
    The cottage seems to float above the ground at the edge of the lake. Access to the interior is through a sliding window at the front of the building. The interior reflects the simplicity of the outdoor landscape, featuring a durable sand-colored concrete floor and walls clad in light wood. "For me, this building is neither ostentatious nor shy, but respectful and understanding of both the place and the needs of the users," stated the jury chairman, architect László Mikó, in the rationale for the selection.
    The jury evaluated buildings in seven categories, with the highest number being new constructions, 24 of which competed. The renovation category had two dozen realizations, and there were 16 family houses. The categories of urban planning and landscape architecture each had one submission, with no awards given, while the jury awarded a commendation in landscape design to David Prudík, Markéta, and Petr Veličkoví for Park 4 dvory in České Budějovice. The interior category also received only a commendation, awarded to the studio pha for T-lounge, a shop in Prague's Broadway passage.
    In the category of new construction, the jury awarded the Center for the Restoration of 20th Century Architecture, which was created in Brno according to a project by the Archteam studio. "The most fascinating aspect of the Architecture Center is the very successful spatial solution between the existing villa (Stiassny), the building of the new Center, and the connecting park," the jury stated. The Center was built by the National Heritage Institute.
    The award in the family house category went to the building in Světice by the K2 studio. The building respects the former traditional environment and is well integrated into the local tradition, stated the jury. In the renovation category, the award went to the Glass Pavilion in Klatovy by Ateliér 25, and in the architectural design category, the café in the Varšava cinema in Liberec. A new category is the Award of the Architekt magazine, which went to the Rezkova family house in Brno by the Kuba Pilař architects.