New buildings in historic towns are mapped out in the exhibition New in the Old

Prague - The exhibition "New in the Old" reflects how well contemporary architecture connects with historical buildings in the Czech Republic. Visitors will be introduced to well-executed buildings that have not only preserved but even enhanced the beauty of the old structures. However, the organizers have not neglected to display construction projects that they consider rather shameful. This traveling nationwide exhibition, which will also be presented in other cities across the country after Prague, will remain in the Czech capital until early October.
The full title of the exhibition is "New in the Old: Contemporary Architecture and Historical City," and it is organized not only by a Prague gallery focused on presenting modern architecture, but also by the National Heritage Institute (NPÚ), which launched the eponymous project nearly a year ago. "We are trying to break the myth that heritage preservation does not appreciate new architecture by attempting to foster mutual discussion. Heritage experts are not inherently against it; they just require that new architecture in old surroundings be of high quality and not harm its environment but rather contribute positively to it," said NPÚ director Naděžda Goryczková to ČTK, adding that besides the exhibition, the institute is also preparing an October conference that will be attended by not only heritage experts but also developers and architects.
Her words are echoed by exhibition curator Richard Biegel: "The conflict between architects and heritage experts is an illusion, as evidenced by the fact that we are presenting several new buildings that are a true benefit to historical cities and have stood the test of time even after several years."
The exhibition maps the new Czech construction over the past twenty years and is divided into four categories: New in the Old (successful new buildings in a historical environment), Irreversible Losses (buildings that have irreversibly damaged a location), Behind the Curtain (interventions that are not visible at first glance but change the internal spaces of historic buildings in good or bad ways), and Live City (successful renovations or modifications of public urban spaces).
In the "successful" section, the exhibition features, for example, the Dancing House in Prague, the National Technical Library, and the Jazz Dock club in Prague. The city of Litomyšl in the Pardubice region is doing well, and experts have also praised the renovation and transformation of the square in Vlašim, Central Bohemia.
"Unfortunately, Prague does not fare well compared to the rest of the republic. This is likely due to the superficial arrogance of investors, insensitivity of developers, and the unclear stance of the city hall. In Prague, it is more about lucrative and quick monetization of plots rather than architecture," added Biegel, who referred to some failed buildings as "caricatures of architecture" or "banal kitsch." According to him, this unflattering group includes the Palladium shopping center in Prague, Myšák Gallery, and Galerie Myslbek in the passage on Na Příkopě street. "You never really get used to a bombarded city after all these years. These buildings have severely damaged the character of the city," explained Biegel.
According to him, the solution is neither a ban on new construction in historic parts of cities nor merely leaving the outer walls and reconstructing the internal spaces. "That is literally an architectural crime, a lie, and the creation of Potemkin villages," declared the curator, asserting that the only solution is to establish clear rules for investors and developers that will also respect the city's zoning plan and its leadership. He sees the introduction of the role of chief architect as beneficial.
The conference related to the exhibition "New in the Old" will take place on October 27 at the headquarters of the Prague City Hall on Mariánské náměstí. The exhibition itself in Prague will run until October 2 and will then move to cities like Liberec, Brno, and Ostrava.