The space in front of the Ostrava Cathedral wants to change 20 architects

Ostrava - In the architectural competition for the transformation of Msgre Šrámek Square in Ostrava, that is, the space in front of and around the renovated Cathedral of the Divine Redeemer, 20 applicants have registered. Their proposals will be evaluated by an expert committee on Thursday. This is already the third architectural competition in the city this year, with another one in preparation, said Mayor Tomáš Macura (ANO) to reporters today.

Architects have already proposed the transformation of former slaughterhouses or a possible future shape of the Art Street near the House of Art. Participants in the current competition were to come up with an architectural-urban planning solution for the space between the cathedral and the Jiří Myron Theatre. The proposal should include the authors' vision for the development of the area around the cathedral up to the city block lining Zámecká Street.

"The year 2017 is a year of architectural competitions in the city. Three have already been announced, and a fourth is planned for the concert hall," Macura stated, expressing satisfaction with the level of submitted proposals. He believes that the best proposal could be selected on Thursday.

The competition for the new concert hall could be announced in September. The city initially expected this could happen by the end of June, but according to Macura, the preparation of architectural competitions is demanding.

"The preparation for the concert hall is progressing at its own pace, and meanwhile, colleagues have visited several other locations in the Baltic states and Katowice, from which we are particularly drawing inspiration," Macura said.

The concert hall is to be an annex to the House of Culture of the city of Ostrava, whose modernization the city is also planning. Thus, the architectural competition should relate not only to the design of the concert hall but also to the House of Culture. According to Macura, there is also a complicated parking situation in the area, and the city is thus trying to agree with the region on a joint underground parking project. The costs for the renovation and completion of the concert hall are estimated by the city at 1.5 billion crowns.