Park by the water in Prague-Holešovice - competition results

The subject of the competition was the development of an urban and landscape design proposal for a park by the water in Prague 7-Holešovice. The aim of the revitalization was to re-establish the relationship with the river on the left bank of the Vltava, to strengthen the unique character of the park with the preserved footprint of industrial activity, and to utilize the potential of one of the few public spaces in the urban structure with a vast green area, which allows for free movement around the water. The design was to present the basic principles of how the new park would function, its ability to dynamically respond to the changing ways of use and the users themselves that the revitalization would provoke. The client did not wish for an instant, luxurious, precisely defined riverside park. The new park, covering approximately 2.9 hectares, was to sustainably take into account the risks and limitations that come with being located in an active flood zone.

Announcer: Prague 7 District
Organizer: Ing. Markéta Kohoutová
Secretary of the competition: PhDr. Markéta Pražanová

Regular members of the jury - dependent:
PhDr. Ing.arch. Lenka Burgerová, Ph.D., Deputy Mayor of Prague 7 for Urban Development and MA21 Citizen Participation Agenda
Mgr. Jiří Hejnic, Councilor of Prague 7

Regular members of the jury - independent:
Ing.arch. Jan Sedlák
Ing.arch. Patrik Hoffman
Tomáš Jiránek

Substitutes of the jury - dependent:
Mgr. Jiří Knitl, Councilor of Prague 7 for Public Space and Environment

Substitutes of the jury - independent:
Ing. Mgr. Eva Jeníková

Invited experts and specialists:
Ing. Daniela Karasová, Head of the Public Space Care Department, ÚMČ P7
Ing. Ivan Bednář, OCP, Department of Nature and Landscape Protection, MHMP
Ing. Michal Novák, Infrastructure Section - Technical Infrastructure Office, IPR Prague
MgA. Marek Kundrata, City Detail Section - Public Space Office, IPR Prague
Ing. Jiří Friedel, Vltava River Basin, Director of the Lower Vltava Division
Ing.arch. Amáta M. Wenzlová, Supervisor for Prague 7, Land Support Office, IPR Prague
Mgr. Ondřej Mirovský, M.EM, Councilor of Prague 7
Ing.arch. Tomáš Richtr, Head of the Development and Public Space Care Department, ÚMČ Prague 7
Ing.arch. Anna Dufková, Officer of the Development and Public Space Care Department, ÚMČ Prague 7
Ing. Jan Jiráň, Representative of the State Navigation Authority

The jury may request the client to invite additional experts during the competition.

Competition date: September 16, 2020 - December 14, 2020
Date of announcement of results: February 17, 2021
Number of submitted proposals: 20
Prizes and rewards total: 400,000 CZK

More information >

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1st place: 180,000 CZK
Authors: YYYY, s.r.o. / 
Ing. Tereza Mácová, Ing.arch. Alice Boušková, Ing. Martina Tománková, Ing. Marie McClellan, MSc. Marie Petráková, Bc. Tereza Lacigová
Jury evaluation: Comprehensive design, sufficiently rich. It does not create the impression of overcrowding the site. It layers various motifs and reminiscences. It develops the potential and quality of the existing space. It is appropriately original, does not seem arrogant, yet is self-assured. The solution is innovative, diversified, not fashionable or chaotic. It appears natural and comprehensible. It correctly opens the eastern entrance from the community garden. On the contrary, it shifts this to a space that is generally suitable for community backdrops, where this garden, nor its users, need not feel alien or redundant; instead, there can be full interaction with the park. The design works very well with the layer of trees. The concentration and densification of the space seem like a good approach in combination with thinning and empty spaces. The layer of trees connects the natural growth structure of the park with fruit trees, reminiscent of orchards. The nature-friendly concept of the herbaceous layer, especially in the grove positions in the form of ruderal and grove meadows in contrast with the living grass areas in lighter positions, is balanced. It represents a comprehensible, simple, and yet potentially functional vegetation structure and composition. The concept of paths, their stratification, and material modesty in the form of recycled concrete, gravel, and paving is suitable and adequate for an area with potential flood situations. The descents to the river, and thus the possibility of re-establishing the human-water relationship, are appropriate; the contact is sufficiently rich and inspiring. There remains enough space for more or less natural vegetation in the bank zone. The backbone cycling routes are respected. Work with detail is good. The proposal is economically appropriate. The jury recommends the proposal for implementation. Jury recommendation for refining the proposal: In further project steps, we recommend a thorough examination and utilization of the opportunities to work with the potential of available water sources and with nature-friendly greenery, which can be an important source of ecosystem services in the area and in the broader surroundings. It is also necessary to verify the amount of vegetation at the inflow and outflow into the flood area of the park; according to the river basin manager's recommendation, the profile should be slightly loosened, and the possibility to move the pier in case of an impending flood should be considered.

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2nd place: 120,000 CZK
Authors: gogolák+grasse, s.r.o. / 
Ing.arch. Ivan Gogolák, Ing.arch. Lukáš Grasse, Ing. Kateřina Stará, Ing. Natália Polesňáková, Ing. Jan Waldhauser
Jury evaluation: The proposal presents a civil solution, which despite its apparent succinctness offers hope that it could become a high-quality, functional, and pleasant backdrop for events after possible realization. The authors respect and sensitively enhance the current qualities of the site, honoring both industrial and nature-friendly character. The balance of the solution benefits both users and nature. The park's arrangement does not force the individual but gently guides them. Its strength lies in its simplicity, which provides sufficient space for diverse activities without the author pre-defining them. Respect for the characteristics of the flood zone and the simplicity of maintenance during normal operation and after floods are also a benefit. The proposed details are pleasant, e.g., the entrance from the street U Vody, complemented by a living staircase. A certain question mark lies over the respect for the existing location of the community garden, which appears problematic as a fill-in for the entrance of people into the public park. The proposal is economically appropriate. Jury recommendation for refining the proposal: In further project steps, we recommend, as with proposal no. 12, a thorough examination and utilization of the opportunities to work with the potential of available water sources and nature-friendly greenery, which can be an important source of ecosystem services in the place and in the broader surroundings. Additionally, reconsideration of a more suitable location for the community garden is needed.

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Reward: 25,000 CZK
Authors: 
Ing. Tomáš Pilař, Berenika Pilařová, David Šmíd, Ing. Petr Jelínek, Alexandra Czerneková
Jury evaluation: The jury appreciates the explicit reminder of the reality that a park as a significant public space should live 24 hours a day, in twilight and at night. In addition to thoughtful lighting, the work with the industrial trace of the site is positively evaluated.

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Reward: 25,000 CZK
Authors: 
Ing. Vladimír Sitta, Ing.arch. Adéla Chmelová, Ing. Eliška Olšanská
Jury evaluation: The jury positively perceives that the proposal respects and confirms the importance of the entrance to the area as a significant element in the concept of the entire park. The authors recognize the significance of rainwater collected from surrounding buildings and its possible use, e.g., for parks.

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Reward: 25,000 CZK
Authors: KOLMO.eu / 
Ing.arch. Lenka Hejlová, Ing. Jakub Finger, Ing.arch. Martin Hejl, MgA. Natálie Kaňová, MgA. Jan Nálepa
Jury evaluation: The jury appreciates the authors' awareness that the original river landscape looked completely different and that it is essential to remember these values and take them into account in conceptual work in the river area. And they do it in a poetic form. The overall solution would be financially very costly, both in terms of construction and operation.

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Reward: 25,000 CZK
Authors: CMC architects, a.s. /
 Akad.arch. Vít Máslo, Dipl.arch. David R. Chisholm, Ing.arch. Pavel Paseka, Ing.arch. Evžen Dub
Collaboration: Ing.arch. Anna Peteráková, Ing.arch. Aneta Všechovská Zadáková, Ing.arch. Klára Zugarová, MSc.
Jury evaluation: The jury positively evaluates the clearly expressed effort to shift the place of movement towards the river and offer another level of the riverside, where direct contact with water is possible, thus expanding the space of the park for recreational activities. The proposal exhibits high quality and professional level of processing. However, the overall solution, especially the proposed adjustment of the riverside edge, would be financially very demanding and would exceed the anticipated construction costs.