Library and Community Center in Úvaly - competition results

The subject of the competition was to process a project architectural proposal for the construction of a library at the community center in Úvaly, nám. Arnošta z Pardubic, čp. 18.

Organizer: Petra Parléře, o.p.s. / City of Úvaly
Competition Secretary: Ing. arch. Petr Brožek / BRAK architects
Competition Dates: 11.4.2016 - 14.6.2016
Results Publication Date: 4.7.2016
Number of Submitted Proposals: 23
Total Prizes and Awards: 440 000,- CZK

Ordinary Jury Members - Dependent
Mgr. Petr Borecký
Ing. Jan Černý
Iva Krňanská

Ordinary Jury Members - Independent
Mgr. Akad. arch. Roman Brychta
Prof. Ing. arch. Miroslav Masák
Ing. arch. Marek Štěpán
Ing. arch. Ondřej Chybík

Jury Substitutes - Dependent
Dr. Vítězslav Pokorný
Jury Substitutes - Independent
Ing. arch. Ivo Herman
Expert: RNDr. Tomáš Řehák

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1st Prize: 200,000,-
Authors: 
A.LT Architekti, v.o.s, 
Ing. arch. Peter Lacko
Collaborators: Filip Tittelbach, Michala Slynková, Martina Svobodová, Ondřej Hlaváček, 
Ing. arch. Lenka Dvořáková
Jury Evaluation: The street façade is convincing, urban, and representative. The hall, which is located on the second floor, visually becomes part of the square, thus confirming its public function. The hall can operate independently, meaning it can function separately from the library's operations, and the lobby can be connected with the town hall building. This is a formally understandable solution. The courtyard façade offers both physical contact with the garden at ground level and visual contact at the upper level. The jury recommends reworking the internal layout to better communicate with the proposed passage and the town hall courtyard, thereby enhancing the vibrancy of the public urban space. The interior space is designed flexibly and has the potential to respond to specific layout requirements from the client. The library space is easily connected with a café, which is in direct contact with the square. The jury recommends optimizing the illuminated skylight areas to prevent overheating of the interior spaces. The design meets expectations and is a benefit to the quality of public urban space.

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3rd Prize: 90,000,-
Authors: Atelier NEW HOW, 
Ing. arch. Filip Havliš, Ing. arch. David Zámečník 

Collaborators: Ing. arch. Ondřej Novosad, Martin Janoušek, Jan Havlíček
Jury Evaluation: The concept works with a suitable scale for both the street and the courtyard. The internal arrangement appears logical in relation to the architectural space. The jury recommends greater discipline in the materials. The placement of the library space on the second floor and a blind façade facing the courtyard seems problematic. The building lobby spreads into the surrounding public spaces (passage, terrace, arcades), thus potentially initiating a revitalization of the area.

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3rd Prize: 90,000,-
Authors: 
CUBOID ARCHITEKTI, s.r.o., 
Ing. arch. Aleš Papp, Ing. arch. Magdalena Pappová, Ing. arch. Milan Vít

Collaborators: Ing. arch. Ondřej Zavřel
Jury Evaluation: The proposed building connects appropriately with the square. It places a café in the ground level, which is directly linked to the library. The form of the proposed building responds to the surroundings ambiguously. The proposed object blends too much with the surroundings from the viewpoint of the square. The motif of an open book is too illustrative. The internal layout of the premises was evaluated as highly positive, appearing both effective and flexible. The placement of the community hall on the second floor is appropriate. It would be beneficial to strengthen communication between the interior of the library and the garden and courtyard spaces of the town hall.

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Award: 60,000,- 

Authors: Ing. arch. Martin Štrouf, Ing. arch. Ondřej Zdvomka, 
Akad. arch. Jiří Deýl 

Collaborators: Ing. arch. Petr Uhlíř, Ing. arch. Kristýna Vítů, Vojtěch Jelínek
Jury Evaluation: A proposal that initiated a great discussion among the jury. It was appreciated mainly for providing a different and fresh perspective on the urban solution for the location. It offers a generous public space that permeates the addressed area to the garden, thus enhancing the significance of the library as a public institution. The long façade of the building is oriented toward this space and conceals flexible spatial solutions that can be further developed or changed. The main drawback was the unconvincing design of the façade as a whole and in relation to the neighboring parcel of the rectory.

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