Competition for a multicultural center in the former Světovar Brewery in Plzeň

Plzeň - A regional multicultural center will be established in the area of the former Světovar brewery in Plzeň by 2015, costing approximately 100 million CZK. Artists are currently working on the concept and organizational structure of the area, which has six hectares, including space for housing. The city’s concept and development office will announce a competition for an architectural study. Due to an integrated development plan, Plzeň has prepared 80 million CZK in the European Regional Operational Program. This was reported by architect Milan Svoboda, head of the Plzeň - European Capital of Culture 2015 project.
    City councilors have already approved the competition conditions for an urban and architectural competition to develop a solution for the historically protected brewery space. This will lead to a proposal for spatial and functional arrangements, new buildings, and solutions for undeveloped spaces and their connection to the surrounding urban structure. "The competition will be announced on May 24, and proposals must be submitted by July 30. In August, the jury will meet, and in September, the public will be introduced to the proposals at an exhibition," said Deputy Mayor Petr Rund.
    The center is expected to offer space for vibrant, independent, and experimental art and is set to become a kind of "cultural factory." "The priority will be to renovate the hall intended as a multi-genre space and the adjacent administrative building for the purposes of studios and the like," noted Svoboda.
    Old breweries, most of which ceased beer production due to globalization, are according to artistic manager Roman Černík, the most suitable objects for transformation into cultural centers. This week, the initiative "To beer or not to beer" was established in Plzeň, which aims to create an international network connecting revitalized breweries around the world.
    "In the Czech Republic, 30 former breweries have already been converted," said cultural expert Alexandra Brabcová, who is exploring new paths for galleries, museums, and industrial buildings. They are being used as development projects, particularly residential projects, for industry, and as cultural centers and meeting places.
    The former Světovar brewery, which served as a barracks, now belongs to the municipality. The city has already decided that a large portion of it will be designated for culture. There is to be a design and lifestyle museum, a city archive, studios for university students, space for the presentation of new and individual projects, and rehearsal rooms and studios for local communities. "In every normal European city, there is some such space," added Černík. According to him, Světovar is a large area in an interesting location and is enclosed, so something like the German Kultur Quartier with cafes, shops, and boutiques could be created there.
    A volume study for the area is already complete. This will be followed by a study on the conceptual and aesthetic use, and simultaneously, teams of visual artists, theater practitioners, dancers, and musicians are preparing projects for the operation, funding, and organization of the center. "The space will be very variable. There will be a creative visual and theatrical workshop there as early as the fall," stated Černík. The area, which will have a uniform urban appearance, also includes open spaces for potential construction of apartments and shops by private investors.