New Florenc, Prague

The aim of the project is to restore the damaged urban environment – Florenc has great potential to become an important urban element.

To achieve this, we decided to strengthen public spaces, introduce new activities, and create new icons, while respecting the existing architecture.

The most important feature we wanted to develop was the character of the place. It is an urban space defined by solid mass for dynamic flows of people, but there are also pockets of greenery that can offer a place for sitting and resting.
The towers can become easily recognizable icons of the station in Florenc from all directions. They will break the barriers of the place, offer a new landmark, but – most importantly – create a connection between both sides of the railway, forming a new public space inside.

Traffic from higher levels is removed. Below the station, under the public space, there is parking. Traffic is further divided into public and individual, and separate access points are established. This way, the most important levels are designated solely for pedestrians.

The relationship between the buildings and the railway on which they stand varies from building to building. Both railways are part of the area development and have a functional role, but currently, only one railway is in use, while the other becomes part of the new building. The railway is on the outer edge of the addressed area, and the new building is constructed alongside it to allow unrestricted train operation.

The project creates a wide area between the two buildings, where a great number of various public and private activities are supported, ensuring that the place is vibrant both during the day and at night:

- bus stop
- housing
- library
- administration
- shopping center
- hotel
- cultural center

The multifunctional area offers a range of locations where internal space is organized. The surrounding buildings will ensure that it is safe and pleasant to use, thus making New Florenc a dynamic and lively part of Prague.

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Jury's comment:
The generous solution of a complex assignment successfully combines a diverse functional mix with the demanding operational requirements of a transport terminal. A strong architectural concept with a pair of “towers” offers a new gateway to the city and a prominent landmark. The extensive complex is structured in such a way that it retains a human scale without fragmenting the whole: it brings new life to a neglected area at the intersection of the historical core and the broader city center. Despite its size, the proposed building appears light and elegant. The project is a result of teamwork by a trio of students, showcasing a high degree of creative synergy and collaboration skills.