Square and adjacent streets in Velké Meziříčí - competition results

The subject of the competition was the processing of an architectural-urban design solution for the Square and adjacent streets Radnická, Vrchovecká, Komenského, Kostelní, U Bašty in Velké Meziříčí.

Organizer: City of Velké Meziříčí represented by the mayor Ing. Radovan Necid 

Secretary of the competition: Ing. Petr Velička
Date of the competition: April 07, 2016 - June 24, 2016
Date of announcement of results: September 13, 2016
Number of submitted proposals: 16
Total prizes and awards: 450,000 CZK

Regular jury members - dependent
Ing. Radovan Necid
Josef Komínek
Ing. arch. Olga Čermáková

Regular jury members - independent
Ing. et Ing. Tomáš Jiránek
Akad. arch. Ladislav Kuba
Ing. Vladimír Sitta
Akad. arch. David Vávra

Substitute jury members - dependent
Ing. David Babák
Miroslav Jágrik
Ing. Antonín Kozina
JUDr. Karel Lancman
Jiří Michlíček
PhDr. Marie Ripperová
Ing. Stanislav Rosa
Ing. Vincenc Záviška

Substitute jury members - independent
Ing. arch. Eva Uchytilová
Ing. Petr Smítal

---

1st prize - 150,000 CZK 

authors: Bc. Linda Boušková, Bc. Filip Musálek, 
Ing. arch. David Mikulášek
Jury evaluation: The proposal responds to the historical context of the square in a cultivated manner without ostentatious gestures. It handles the space sensitively, almost with surprising ease. This approach leaves the space with desirable functional flexibility. As one of the few proposals, the author considers the fate of the trees in a longer time horizon. It treats the trees as an inseparable part of the memory of the place. The proposal is proof that public space does not need to be constrained by a corset of permanent elements, including furnishings, to retain its civic dimension. However, the graphical sophistication of the proposal also has its downsides. There is no doubt that the proposal appealed almost unanimously to the jury, but will it do the same with public presentation? The terrain manipulation in front of the town hall is critically assessed. The introduction of new obstacles to the free movement of pedestrians, which the new stairs undoubtedly are, is considered unnecessary by the jury, despite the improvement of the entrance to the town hall. The jury appreciates the anticipated recycling of the existing pavement material for new use. The proposed size of the large-format pavement area in front of the town hall and its uniform module is up for consideration. The handling of the lighting scene is inspiring. Recommendation: the jury recommends increasing the number of parking spaces within the square and allowing limited passage through the shared space, see detailed recommendations from the traffic specialist. The optimization of the number of parking spaces must be a subject of the next stage of discussing the proposal. The jury recommends limiting the size of the large-format pavement area in front of the town hall and its uniform module. For the purposes of the public exhibition, the jury recommends developing a perspective that presents the main ideas of the proposal clearly and understandably to the public.

---

2nd prize - 120,000 CZK 

authors: MCA Atelier s.r.o., Ing. arch. Radek Novotný, 
Ing. arch. Miroslav Cikán
Jury evaluation: The urban design intent, i.e., leading the main transit roadway in the approximate trace of an ancient road, is correct. The parking in the southern part of the square is also well considered, only the parking in front of the town hall occupies an unreasonably large arrival area. Vegetation – the commission agrees to preserve the trees in the heart of the square near the fountain and St. John's column. This is correct from the perspective of historical memory. For the overall meaning of the square and its natural center, the planting of trees in the northern and southern parts along the facades of the buildings appears unnecessary. The paving of the predominant part of the square with cobblestone paving is also inappropriate. The thought of utilizing the square during various markets, concerts, and festivals is good. The graphic representation and overall artistic quality are standard, somewhat devoid of uniqueness and charm. The commission considers the text report unsuccessful, which is partially chaotic equilibristics with words that diverge from human nature. Recommendation: - for any potential further processing, the contractor must heed certain modifying recommendations, e.g., the removal of some trees along the facades, changes in paving, or an increase in the number of parking spaces.

---

3rd prize - 100,000 CZK 

authors: Ing. arch. Tomáš Kopecký, Ing. arch. Richard Ott, Ing. arch. Anita Prokešová

collaboration: 
Ing. arch. Lucie Kadrmanová Chytilová
Jury evaluation: The authors present an inspiring view on the relationship of the square to other spaces in the center of Velké Meziříčí. They recommend examining the possibility of passages from the square to the Balinka River near the town hall, including the character of the currently regulated bank of the Balinka River. The authors feel a strong connection to the square with the potential for private passages to the Balinka River. The solution of the square itself lies in calming traffic through one-way roads Radnická – Vrchovecká on the northern side (the question is the direction) and Kostelní – Komenského on the southern side of the square. The jury considers this a correct consideration. Some respect for the original "old imperial road" can also be appreciated. The complicated right angles and spatial solution in front of the town hall is a question mark. There are too few parking spaces in the square, which predisposes to a loss of life in the square. The spatial composition of the square seems convincing to the jury at the level of free, uniform graphics of the pavement between the facades of the buildings, including the church. However, this freedom is unnecessarily denied by the inserted lines of the bright large-format paving across the square. Likewise, the long benches across the square. The spatial arrangement of tree vegetation appears awkward. The existing grove in the center of the square is reduced to a single solitary linden. New rows of trees are placed next to the facades of the buildings. The jury considers this a mistake. The placement of "café and restaurant patios" directly on the pavement of the square is correct. Recommendation: to take the criticized phenomena in the evaluation into account and consider them in any further cooperation with the organizer.

---

Award - 20,000 CZK
authors: Ing. arch. Lenka Hlavatá, 
Ing. arch. Josef Hlavatý

Award - 20,000 CZK 

authors: Ing. arch. Eva Pyková, 
Ing. arch. Alexandr Kotačka

Award - 10,000 CZK 

author: 
Ing. arch. Iva Křikavová

Award - 10,000 CZK 

authors: Ing. arch. David Balajka, Ing. arch. Marek Macejko, 
Ing. arch. Vojtěch Kratochvíl

Award - 10,000 CZK 

authors: Ing. Michal Říha, Ing. arch. Martin Špičák , Ing. arch. Kateřina Frejlachová

Award - 10,000 CZK 

authors: A PLUS a.s., Ing. arch. Jaromír Sedlák, Bc. Dagmar Žáková, Bc. Václav Prchal, 
Ing. arch. Petr Uhlíř

More information >