The Liberec Region is organizing the 20th annual Karel Hubáček Competition for Building of the Year

Liberec - The Liberec region is looking for the building of the year for the twentieth time; since 2019, the competition has been named after the author of the hotel and transmitter Ještěd, architect Karel Hubáček. Next year marks a hundred years since his birth. Architects, investors, and builders can submit their applications for the 20th edition of the competition from Wednesday, November 1 to February 25 next year, said Jan Mikulička, spokesperson for the regional office, to ČTK. This year's winner was the reconstruction of the Liebieg Palace in Liberec, funded by the regional city.

"Quality architecture has always thrived in our region, and the current works are no exception. The results of the Karel Hubáček Competition confirm this year after year, whether it was last year's winning reconstruction of the Liebieg Palace in Liberec or the library and community center IGI in Vratislavice nad Nisou, or the headquarters of Lasvit in Nový Bor. I believe that this time too, an equally interesting building will take home the first prize," added Governor Martin Půta (Mayors for the Liberec Region).

This year, the jury and the public selected from 22 completed buildings and also 12 student projects. Renovations traditionally had a strong representation; the jury was particularly impressed by three projects that reached the final nominations – the Svijany Beer Spa, Huť Marie, and the winner of not only this category but also the main Karel Hubáček Award - the reconstruction of the Liebieg Palace. The transformation of the former glassworks Huť Marie in Josefův Důl into a meeting and relaxation place won the Governor's Award, while the Automoto Museum in Lučany nad Nisou, built by a private investor from a former glassworks, was the public's choice.

In the last three editions of the Building of the Year for Liberec Region, the main prize has always gone to projects arising from the revitalization of brownfields. In 2020, the new headquarters of the glass company Lasvit in Nový Bor in the Česká Lípa region won; the jury appreciated the interesting combination of two historical houses from the late 18th century with modern extensions. The year before last, the Liberec roasting house with the café DOK Nordbeans, which transformed and revitalized part of a neglected railway warehouse, won. Last year, the winning project was the community center IGI in Vratislavice, created by converting a former rectory with an added modern extension housing a library and cinema hall.

The competition for the Building of the Year in the Liberec Region has a tradition since 2004. Construction companies and architectural studios can present the results of their work in this way. For four years, the cities of Liberec, Jablonec nad Nisou, Česká Lípa, Turnov, and Semily have been partners in the competition.