Revitalization of the Sokol Gymnasium Area in Rokycany - Competition Results

The subject of the competition was the development of an architectural and urban design proposal for the revitalization of the Sokolovna building into a New Cultural Center for the town of Rokycany. And the decision regarding the incorporation of existing buildings, their modifications, modernization, reconstruction, or demolition. Part of the solution on land parcel no. st. 600 in the cadastral area of Rokycany also included addressing standard parking requirements invoked by the needs of the cultural center, with a minimum capacity of 90 parking spaces, which will also serve as public parking spaces servicing the town center. The resulting proposal was to serve as a basis for the subsequent project documentation.

Organizer: Town of Rokycany
Chairman of the jury: Ing. arch. Radek Dragoun

Ordinary jury members - dependent
Václav Kočí, mayor
Mgr. Jan Šašek, deputy mayor
Ing. Tomáš Rada, deputy mayor

Ordinary jury members - independent
Ing. arch. Radek Dragoun
Ing. arch. Tomáš Petrášek
Ing. arch. Barbora Kopečná
Ing. arch. Martina Buřičová

Alternate jury members - dependent
Mgr. Lukáš Rada, councilor and director of the T. G. Masaryk Elementary School in Rokycany, a contributory organization

Alternate jury members - independent
Ing. arch. Václav Zůna

Invited experts:
Ing. Jiří Hlad, head of the city development department
Ing. Tomáš Hůlka, head of the education and culture department
Ing. Radka Janová, head of the construction department
Bc. Jana Cinkeová, heritage budget officer.

Date of the competition: 29.10.2020 - 15.3.2021
Date of announcement of results: 20.4.2021
Number of submitted proposals: 14
Total prizes and awards: 2,000,000 CZK

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1st place: 750,000 CZK
Author: 
Rusina Frei, s.r.o.
Jury evaluation: The jury considers this proposal to be one of the two best solutions resulting from the competition. The proposal sensitively integrates into the existing environment, preserves and renovates the entire building of the old Sokolovna, which it spatially utilizes to the maximum extent. Instead of extensions from the 1970s, a new addition arises that connects sensitively to the historical building, presents itself dignifiedly in relation to its location, cultivates, and enlivens the area near the town center. From an urban perspective, the proposal does not create a barrier from any direction. The spatial layout is very successful; the created spaces are clear, distinct, and not oversized. The winning proposal offers a connection between both halls and a communal space. The placement of the restaurant towards the street Svazu bojovníků za svobodu is also appropriate, enlivening the corner of the building. The jury appreciates the fulfillment of the financial requirements of the client. The sloped surface of the newly created square may be contentious, particularly its dimensions in relation to the longitudinal compensatory staircase parallel to Jirásková Street. Jury recommendation: due to maximum compactness, it will be necessary to check for sufficient capacity of storage, auxiliary, and technical spaces, including the spatial solution for the seating elevation. Detailed solution of outdoor areas.

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2nd place: 650,000 CZK
Author: 
Ing.arch. Tomáš Hanus
Jury evaluation: The strength of the proposal lies in its efficiency, immediacy, and connection to the existing character of the town. The building appropriately develops the urban structure with its mass and character. A traditional urban block clearly enhances Jirásková Street as a small circular boulevard, consciously resigning from a showy public forecourt and opting for a more intimate approach with an entrance bay and an inner semi-public atrium. This solution strikes a fortunate chord with the theme of the town and enhances its qualities. The placement of the addition on the terrain and the orientation of the restaurant towards the street ensures daily contact of the building with its surroundings, significantly advancing its connection. The height difference is transferred into the interior and into the atrium, where it is appreciated as an occasional audience for outdoor performances in the quiet of the atrium. The large hall in the preserved Sokolovna generously connects the atrium views with the street Svazu bojovníků za svobodu. The use of the existing gymnasium is welcomed. The basic mass concept respects the Sokolovna as a dominant feature and complements it with a mild counterpoint of the mass of the small hall. The atrium arrangement brings spatial richness and high flexibility of use. The architectural expression details have an unorthodox charm and lightness despite some awkward details. The greatest weakness of the proposal is the inconsistency between the content and the dominant role of the supplementary mass - the small hall only forms a minor part of the protruding mass of the hall, with offices placed in the most significant location in the proposal. The treatment of the terrace on the western side and the blindly placed circular window at the original entrance to the Sokolovna may also be contentious. Jury recommendation: the prominent mass with the small hall and the position of the offices must be reworked; modifications of the layout in the atrium; improvements of operational connections according to the client's expectations.

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3rd place: 400,000 CZK
Author: BY architects, spol. s r.o.
Jury evaluation: The proposal demolishes part of the former Sokolovna building just like other proposals, but uniquely works with the preserved parts of the building in a free manner. From the floor plans, it seems that without sentiment it fulfills the spaces with a new function; the layouts are well thought out, and operational ties are managed. Both halls are new and better meet the spatial and functional demands. In contrast to the good internal arrangement is the overall external expression of the building. The main facades of the building consist of the historical facade of the preserved corner of the former Sokolovna and greenery - a row of trees in front of the building in all directions, which seems to obscure the vague and unmanageable expression of the facades, including the unclear definition of the new building's connection to the historical one. Instead of the expected confident new construction, the proposal shows unconvincing sentiment and insecurity. This contradiction fundamentally devalues the proposal. Urbanistically, the proposal is successful; the jury positively assesses the connection to Jirásková Street, the placement of the main entrance, and the attempt to clearly delineate the public area using arcades, although these come across as awkward and unnecessary in the given context. Investment costs are excessively high and undervalued in the proposal.

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Prize: 100,000 CZK
Author: Refuel, s.r.o.
Jury evaluation: The basic concept of the proposal revitalizes the old Sokolovna building and simultaneously entails the addition of a completely new part for both the large and small halls, including facilities. The connection to the axis of Svazu bojovníků za svobodu is striking and well-conceived, where the main entrance to the complex is located. There is a transformation of today’s main hall into a generous foyer, which, with its spatial arrangement and area, far exceeds its new function. Additionally, a second entrance is proposed from Jirásková Street into the connecting corridor - the anteroom. The mass of the new addition is a clean block without divisions and without tectonics; the copper cladding suitably contrasts with the stucco facade of the original Sokolovna. An unsuitable placement of the column structure at the edge of the balconies limits views. Specific layout arrangements, especially the placement of the small hall, corridors, and facilities, are debatable. It is a generous concept; however, the stated cubic prices and total costs are significantly undervalued.

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Prize: 50,000 CZK
Authors: 
Ing.arch. MgA. Michal Šiška, MgA. Ing.arch. Adam Wlazel, Ing.arch. Mgr. Petr Štěpánek, MgA. Matěj Petránek
Jury evaluation: The proposal for the Sokolovna with an added garden restaurant brings an environment with a very impressive spirit, enhancing the memory of the place. The parking lot with the character of an urban park does not come across as expressionally conflicting with Jirásková Street and appears urbanistically unified. However, it is debatable to what extent the operation of the parking lot would allow achieving the desired effect; for example, the gravel surface is certainly nonfunctional in this situation. The reduced external mass initially appears economical, yet paradoxically, it is conditioned by a significantly expensive technical solution involving the depression of the small hall below the existing hall. The layout has many problematic points, especially in the basement. Overall, the pleasant sentiment in the proposal does not outweigh the operational disadvantages but brings a fresh and inspiring view of the given site and functional filling.

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Prize: 50,000 CZK
Authors: Ing.arch. Luděk Šimoník, Ing.arch. Kryštof Foltýn, Ing.arch. Martin Holý, Ing. et Ing.arch. Tomáš Babka
Jury evaluation: The starting point of the proposal is a vision of the central part of the town with a greater share of greenery. The organic floor plan of the building integrates the problematic context near the railway track. The generous mass concept stands on the contrast of an airy open base and solid dominant volumes of the halls, which are evident and clear at first glance. It is debatable whether to conceive the building from the beginning as a pavilion in a park without a clearer connection to the circular boulevard, which seems rather more like a boulevard than a park pathway from the start. The solution offers an intense connection between the interior and exterior; however, the orientation and position of the entrance are unclear. Overall, the concept appears formal in the given situation; the reduction of the Sokolovna in its original expression to just the corner part degrades it to a backdrop.

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