Opava Prize J. M. Olbrich 2008/2009 not awarded

This year, the jury of the Opava Prize J.M. Olbrich, composed of experts from the ranks of heritage conservationists, architects, theorists, and artists from Opava, Ostrava, Brno, and Prague, evaluated a total of eleven nominated projects in the field of reconstruction for the years 2008 and 2009.
 
The jury decided not to award the Opava Prize J.M. Olbrich for reconstruction in 2008 and 2009. The jury assessed all eleven proposals and stated that in all cases, the investors could be commended for their efforts to improve the existing condition of the buildings and public spaces. Several of the nominated reconstructions are relatively successful, but they do not meet the high qualitative requirements necessary for this award.
 
Although the jury did not award any nominated project, it expressed an honorable mention of the Opava Prize J.M. Olbrich, specifically for the reconstruction of the Pilgrim Chapel in Staré Těchanovice in the Opava region. The authors of the project are Ing. Arch. Lubomír Dehner and Ing. Ondřej Kubesa from the Opava-based Studio-D, with the investor and initiator of the reconstruction being the Czech Republic Forests state enterprise. The jury evaluates the reconstruction as an exemplary method of saving and restoring small architecture in the landscape as a cultural overlay beyond mere utility in a relatively remote area of the former Sudetenland. The designer, based on the building's remains with some preserved details and old photographs, carried out a careful and precise preparation of the work leading to a successful realization. The jury also considers it important to explore further possible uses for the chapel, its integration into the life of the surrounding landscape and the people residing there.
The honorable mention was presented to the authors of the reconstruction on Tuesday, December 22, on the birthday of J.M. Olbrich, at the site of the only Opava, now defunct realization of this famous architect at Ratibořská Street 17.
 
The reconstruction of Hauerova Street, again by the authors Ing. Arch. Lubomír Dehner and Ing. Ondřej Kubesa from Studio-D with the investor being the Statutory City of Opava, was also evaluated positively. The jury recognized this realization as a well-cultivated public space including sidewalks, integrated parking spaces, tree planting, and public lighting; it appreciated well-executed details, appropriate placement of lamps and bins, and the unobtrusive yet suitable effect of the materials used, even if they belong to the less expensive category. The jury stated that such a result should be the standard for the transformation of public urban spaces.
 
The jury negatively received the reconstruction of the interior of the Town Hall in Opava, primarily due to the aimless and non-conceptual application of various decorative and functional elements that do not correspond with the architecture of the building and do not reach the expected level. The implementation of many details, which significantly contributes to the atmosphere of the space, was also found to be negative. The jury noted that the reconstruction of the Town Hall represented a wasted opportunity given the available financial resources, expectations, and priorities that the transformation and subsequent use of the building for the investor should have. The interior was designed by Jitka Vrbková from the RAP s.r.o. studio in Mikulov, with the investor being the Statutory City of Opava, and the realization carried out by Metrostav a.s..

Information on all nominated buildings including photographs can be found at:
http://www.zaopavu.cz/view.php?cisloclanku=2009120002
 
At the end of 2010, the jury will convene to discuss the award for new constructions completed in 2009-2010. The nominations for new constructions from 2008, when the award was not granted, remain valid.
 
The jury of the Opava Prize J.M. Olbrich:

• Prof. akad. soch. Kurt Gebauer, AAAD Prague
• Ing. arch. Radim Václavík, Center for New Architecture, Ostrava
• Ing. arch. Yvette Vašourková, Center for Central European Architecture, Prague
• Ing. arch. MgA Osamu Okamura, editor-in-chief of ERA 21, Brno
• Mgr. Dalibor Halátek, o.s. Za Opavu, Opava
• Dr. Martin Klimeš, o.s. Za Opavu, Opava
• MgA Tomáš Skalík, o.s. Za Opavu, Opava

Pilgrim Chapel in Staré Těchanovice in the Opava region