The design of the new Kolin library in the castle complex will be brought about by an architectural competition

Kolín - Kolín is likely to announce an architectural competition for the new building of the city library in the area of Kolín Castle at the turn of November and December. It is currently finalizing the briefs, which still need to be approved by the Czech Chamber of Architects. The evaluation of the proposals is expected to take place around May next year. David Mateásko, the city's architect, said this to ČTK today.

"We are finalizing all the documents; at the end of October, there will be the inaugural meeting of the jury, from which some questions and topics may still arise. We also have a meeting with representatives of heritage care, which may add some parameters to the brief," said Mateásko.

The city library is currently located on Husova Street in the building of the former Česká spořitelna. The planned new building is set to complement the Kolín Castle area in the gap of so-called barley grains in Kovářská Street. In addition to increasing capacity for the book collection, the new building should also offer, for example, a community space.

"We want a modern contemporary building that will be a partner to the castle, not something that overshadows it; the castle has its own value. The library should complete the area so that they form a cohesive whole and are in harmony together," said Mateásko. According to him, the views on how the castle area should be completed are very diverse, ranging from conservative to open. "The library is an important public building of the city that has to fulfill its function, which is no longer just to be a place where people go for books, but generally for information, education, or meetings," added Mateásko.

The jury for the planned competition will consist of the city architect and a representative of the city leadership, as well as three independent architects. According to a previous statement from the city, the construction of the library will depend on the allocation of suitable grants.

People will likely be able to learn more about the preparation of the new library building at a public meeting in November, with the date to be announced after the inaugural meeting of the jury.