The best thesis of the year 2023 is Promised on May 5 by Dominik Vácha from AVU
The annual exhibition of thesis works is organized by the Czech Chamber of Architects with the intention of comparing the quality of study at universities of architecture and related fields. This year's edition had 90 graduates competing for awards. The winner was Dominik Vácha with an excellent design for a new, fully functional sub-center in Prague. He defended the thesis titled Promised on May 5 at the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague, developed under the guidance of Professor Miroslav Šik.
The theses were evaluated by a professional jury led by the chairman Jan Mach. Other members included architects Jiří Janďourek, Pavel Kvintus, and Barbora Weinzettlová, as well as landscape architect Klára Salzmann. They primarily assessed the architectural quality of the submitted works addressing various types of tasks. The jury mentioned that they are pleased that "faculties and diploma projects are increasingly addressing issues that we truly need, namely the creation of environments that are variable over time and dependent on the rapidly changing needs of our society." Regarding the selection of works worthy of awards, the jury stated: "The works selected for the shortlist can be easily divided into four categories: Landscape Creation, Contemporary Urbanism, Large Structure, Experimental Concept. (…) The discussions about the three main awards were very quick."
The first prize was awarded to the graduate of the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague, Dominik Vácha, for the project Promised of May 5. Under the guidance of Professor Miroslav Šik, he developed the design for a new fully functional sub-center in Prague. According to the judges, the work demonstrates the correct way to increase urban housing capacity. "It is an excellent example of how to develop contemporary cities, as we know that further expansion of cities into the landscape is undesirable due to further restricting natural processes and destroying landscape elements, including further encroachments on agricultural land," the judges believe. "The author sensitively builds on the existing urban structure and where possible, creates conditions for the initiation of natural processes as organic components of residential areas. This is absolutely essential for the full life of all local residents, including animals, trees, and other life," they evaluate the work, which they describe as excellent.
The second prize went to Ruby Pavoučková for the work Concept of Landscape Solution for the Revitalization of the Upper Watershed of the Lužická Nisa, developed under the guidance of one of the competition judges, Associate Professor Klára Salzmann at the Faculty of Architecture of the Czech Technical University in Prague. The judges stated that they were fascinated by the scope and depth of this thesis. "The thesis not only sets out a vision for development, enhancing the retention capacities of the suburban agricultural landscape, or a strategy for the revitalization of the water flow. It delves into the ideological detail of resolving specific parts of river and stream landscapes and the accompanying agricultural landscape. The scope of the work is fascinating, yet very logically structured. (…) The work is excellently graphically designed and represents another strong component of this thesis narrative," praised the jury, expressing their hope that at least part of the work will be realized or will at least provoke the necessary discussion in the Elbe River Basin and the Liberec Region.
The third place was awarded by the jury to Martin Stupka, a graduate of the AAAD in Prague, for the project Production of Food. Under the guidance of Professor Jan Šépka, he dealt with food production in relation to the urban environment and the (under)utilized courtyard. The jury highlighted the significant expansion of the topic from the architectural design of the courtyard to finding its meaningful use with a focus on the social moderation of life in this space and strengthening necessary neighborhood relations. They appreciate "the professional graphic processing, the ease of presentation, clear transparency, but mainly the establishment of topics that currently appear very relevant for many cities."
An honorary mention from the jury was awarded to Ondřej Válek, a graduate of the Faculty of Architecture at VUT in Brno, for the work Fiat voluntas tua supervised by Architect Jan Kristěk. The project dealt with the study of the adaptation of the Church of St. Giles in Brno-Líšen for hybrid use – not only for worship purposes but also for other needs of the local community. It was one of the ideological, conceptual projects. "The project may have raised more questions than answers, but it deserves great thanks for that," believes the jury, which especially appreciates the author's creativity in finding and tackling the given architectural task.
> https://diplom.ky/
The theses were evaluated by a professional jury led by the chairman Jan Mach. Other members included architects Jiří Janďourek, Pavel Kvintus, and Barbora Weinzettlová, as well as landscape architect Klára Salzmann. They primarily assessed the architectural quality of the submitted works addressing various types of tasks. The jury mentioned that they are pleased that "faculties and diploma projects are increasingly addressing issues that we truly need, namely the creation of environments that are variable over time and dependent on the rapidly changing needs of our society." Regarding the selection of works worthy of awards, the jury stated: "The works selected for the shortlist can be easily divided into four categories: Landscape Creation, Contemporary Urbanism, Large Structure, Experimental Concept. (…) The discussions about the three main awards were very quick."
The first prize was awarded to the graduate of the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague, Dominik Vácha, for the project Promised of May 5. Under the guidance of Professor Miroslav Šik, he developed the design for a new fully functional sub-center in Prague. According to the judges, the work demonstrates the correct way to increase urban housing capacity. "It is an excellent example of how to develop contemporary cities, as we know that further expansion of cities into the landscape is undesirable due to further restricting natural processes and destroying landscape elements, including further encroachments on agricultural land," the judges believe. "The author sensitively builds on the existing urban structure and where possible, creates conditions for the initiation of natural processes as organic components of residential areas. This is absolutely essential for the full life of all local residents, including animals, trees, and other life," they evaluate the work, which they describe as excellent.
The second prize went to Ruby Pavoučková for the work Concept of Landscape Solution for the Revitalization of the Upper Watershed of the Lužická Nisa, developed under the guidance of one of the competition judges, Associate Professor Klára Salzmann at the Faculty of Architecture of the Czech Technical University in Prague. The judges stated that they were fascinated by the scope and depth of this thesis. "The thesis not only sets out a vision for development, enhancing the retention capacities of the suburban agricultural landscape, or a strategy for the revitalization of the water flow. It delves into the ideological detail of resolving specific parts of river and stream landscapes and the accompanying agricultural landscape. The scope of the work is fascinating, yet very logically structured. (…) The work is excellently graphically designed and represents another strong component of this thesis narrative," praised the jury, expressing their hope that at least part of the work will be realized or will at least provoke the necessary discussion in the Elbe River Basin and the Liberec Region.
The third place was awarded by the jury to Martin Stupka, a graduate of the AAAD in Prague, for the project Production of Food. Under the guidance of Professor Jan Šépka, he dealt with food production in relation to the urban environment and the (under)utilized courtyard. The jury highlighted the significant expansion of the topic from the architectural design of the courtyard to finding its meaningful use with a focus on the social moderation of life in this space and strengthening necessary neighborhood relations. They appreciate "the professional graphic processing, the ease of presentation, clear transparency, but mainly the establishment of topics that currently appear very relevant for many cities."
An honorary mention from the jury was awarded to Ondřej Válek, a graduate of the Faculty of Architecture at VUT in Brno, for the work Fiat voluntas tua supervised by Architect Jan Kristěk. The project dealt with the study of the adaptation of the Church of St. Giles in Brno-Líšen for hybrid use – not only for worship purposes but also for other needs of the local community. It was one of the ideological, conceptual projects. "The project may have raised more questions than answers, but it deserves great thanks for that," believes the jury, which especially appreciates the author's creativity in finding and tackling the given architectural task.
> https://diplom.ky/
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