JFK 2008 – finalist

archiweb: The jury had only a few minutes to evaluate each project, saw only one sheet, and could judge only its final form. Nevertheless, we are interested in the journey and development of the project throughout the semester. Can you look back and summarize the path regarding how the assignment was refined, the form was polished, and consultations thrived?

Adam Cigler: My final proposal was developed only a week before Christmas and was discussed in about three minutes. In both previous critiques, I was told to start over from scratch. So I began again.

archiweb: The accompanying report for most projects is created on the last night before submission, which corresponds to the stylistic level. The insignificance of the written word goes hand in hand with the public secret that “architects do not read and only look.” Would you still be able to describe your winning project in a few brief sentences?

Adam Cigler: No accompanying report was created for my project, not even on that last night. Nevertheless, I would like to mention something about the plot and its history. I drew most from its atmosphere and history.
It is approximately one hectare of a fenced natural park with rare tree species, built by Josef Koukal between 1931 and 1940. The park is entered from Hornoměcholupská street, from which a straight path lined with a row of tall trees extends. The end of this path was intended for a villa, the construction of which was thwarted by the outbreak of war.
Despite all of Josef Koukal's efforts to complete his work, today there stands only an excavated foundation pit. Next to the pit is a gardener's cottage, which Koukal once bequeathed, along with the park, to the National Museum, so that he could spend his remaining days there during the then difficult political situation. The cottage now houses a ringing station, which would like to expand into an ornithological station with its own bird breeding.
The task is to design a sterile scientific station in place of the luxurious villa.