Results of the competition Petra Parléř Award 2010

So many changes have not been recorded by the prestigious urban-architectural competition for the Petr Parléř Award as in its 8th year this year. A total of 52 interested parties registered for the competition and 14 of them submitted competition designs. For the first time, representatives of cities whose assignments became the subject of the competition sat in the jury alongside architects. The village in the Most district - Vtelno, Dolní náměstí in Odolena Voda, and the baroque castle and surroundings of St. Catherine's rotunda in Znojmo were competing for the favor of the contestants. The somewhat “leaner” offering definitely benefited the competition, and it is very likely that the offering will not increase much in the next year.

“This competition brings architecture into our everyday life, from which it has been silent for a long time,” said the chairman of the jury Ing. arch. Pavel Hnilička, “and it is only slowly returning. It shows that architecture is not just some kind of addition for private houses, but that it is urgently needed in our common public space; it shows that it can solve problems in its entirety and complexity that today's era brings. The public space deserves care and thought, otherwise, it is being devastated.”

After a very long discussion, which was not easy at all, the jury decided not to award the first prize, which was a first in the entire history of the Petr Parléř Award. It was not because the evaluated proposals lacked the necessary quality, but rather because they did not receive clearer and more convincing support from the entire jury, which ultimately decided to award two second prizes and one third prize.

The first 2nd prize in the amount of CZK 100,000 was awarded to Ing. arch. Martin Čeněk and Ing. arch. Petr Synovec for their project to modify and complete Dolní náměstí in Odolena Voda.
The second 2nd prize also in the amount of CZK 100,000 was awarded to Ing. arch. Gabriela Elichová and Ing. arch. Martin Elich for their solution for the village square in the Most-Vtelno district.
The 3rd prize in the amount of CZK 50,000 was awarded to Ing. arch. Jakub Svatoň and Ing. arch. Eva Brandová for their approach to solving Dolní náměstí in Odolena Voda.

The awards will be presented on September 21, 2010 at the representative premises of the Prague mayor MUDr. Pavel Bém, who took over the patronage of the competition together with the Minister for Regional Development Ing. Kamil Jankovský. During the ceremonial event, winning and advancing studies will be presented and commented on by the jury members.

The Petr Parléř Award has been of interest to the cities it was primarily intended for, as well as to the architects without whom it could not exist. In eight years, it has attracted 182 cities and 331 architects. Of the winning and awarded studies, 13 have already been realized and 5 are currently being prepared for realization. The competition goes through a number of innovations each year, both in the area of competition conditions and offerings. Its main goal, to contribute to the renewal and beauty of cities, remains.

AWARD FOR SPACE FOR LIFE
Odolena Voda - Revitalization of Dolní náměstí, complete reconstruction of the square space.
Proposal No. 7
Authors of the study: Ing.arch. Martin Čeněk, Ing.arch. Petr Synovec
Jury evaluation: The project for the modification and completion of Dolní náměstí in Odolena Voda is convincing due to its clear and readable concept and its professional presentation. The square's space is defined by strict, solid boundaries. It organizes traffic away from the center of the square. The resulting generous area is treated with an effective play of ellipses that express not only various activities, materials, artifacts, but also local community. In densifying and sizing the built-up fronts of the square, it creates the premise for an intense urban life, which is the main assumption for the functioning of urban space. The new masses and motifs of the ellipses are so generous and the outcome is so effective that it sparked lively discussion among the jury about the appropriateness of such a solution for the scale and character of the town. At the same time, it was noted that if the proposal is conceived as an initiation of the process of transforming the village into a town, it can be recommended for its potential despite all doubts.

AWARD FOR SPACE FOR LIFE
Most, Vtelno - Revitalization of the central public space of the municipality of Most.
Proposal No. 11
Authors of the study: Ing.arch. Gabriela Elichová, Ing.arch. Martin Elich
Jury evaluation: The authors think well about the space and correctly focus on defining the boundaries between private and public. This boundary definition is a key element for the quality of public spaces. The spatial consideration is accompanied by a compositional scheme and earnest reflections on broader relationships. They place a building on the upper side of the village square, thus giving the square an upper edge. In the lower part, they propose to build a new structure with a corner tower instead of the existing self-service store. This new building does not follow the original footprint, as is evident from the imprint of the stable cadastre, but slightly retreats, thus creating a wider space at the street's mouth. The jury did not reach a clear opinion on whether this expansion is appropriate given the size and shape of the public space. The question remains about the division of the space into three zones: commercial and social, recreational, and sports and leisure. Public space should be free and open to various uses, and it is difficult to predispose it to a specific need apart from park and paved arrangements. The simple and natural system of paths was positively evaluated. A great advantage of the proposal is a certain modesty and charm of ordinariness, particularly in the park-like arrangement of the upper part of the space. The square is cultivated with appropriate means, making the proposal appear viable. Overall, the proposal is processed very well, clearly, and accurately.

AWARD FOR CONTRIBUTION TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CITY
Odolena Voda - Revitalization of Dolní náměstí, complete reconstruction of the square space.
Proposal No. 14
Authors of the study: Ing.arch. Jakub Svatoň, Ing.arch. Eva Brandová
Jury evaluation: Civility - that was perhaps the first impression of the proposal, which is very sensitive to the existing values of the place. Whether it’s the roof landscape, the trace of historical roads, or the scale and character of the existing buildings. The ambitions and tools for their fulfillment are at first glance subtle. They appealingly invoke the poetics of small towns. However, one can sense a number of contradictions. The authors consolidate the square's area by pushing traffic to its western edge, but seem unsure how to handle its generosity, breaking it into smaller motifs. As a certain contradiction, the jury viewed the fragmentation of the unified free area in the northern part into cascades with integrated furniture. Especially since the significance of the area as a dominant space was reinforced by the authors by shifting the emphasis of the Marian column. Certain doubts are also raised by nuances in defining the square's boundaries, which do not entirely correspond to the stated main principle of the proposal, which is, according to the authors: “the restoration of solid lines defining the shape of the square.”