The Gočár cottages in the Prague zoo are once again draped in the colors of the tricolor

Prague - In the colors of the tricolor, as originally designed by architect Josef Gočár, builders are currently fine-tuning two wooden houses that have found their new location in the Prague Zoo. The renowned architect designed them as an apartment for the airport manager and a waiting area with refreshments for the airport in Prague-Kbely, from where they were relocated to the garden in the 1970s. The zoo has embarked on the reconstruction of these unique buildings to save them after severe damage caused by the catastrophic flood in 2002.
    "The finishing touches are being applied to the exterior appearance of the houses, and the interior furnishings will follow so that the reconstruction is completed by the start of the 2011 visitor season," said zoo spokesperson Jana Ptačinská Jirátová to ČTK.
    The zoo has also relocated the timber buildings to a hillside outside the flood zone. The houses are designed to attract visitors to a less-visited yet very beautiful part of the zoo. One of the houses will house a new restaurant, while the other will serve as gallery and museum space, featuring, for example, a permanent exhibition resembling the office of the first director of Prague Zoo, Professor Janda, with original furniture, as well as a screening room and classrooms.
    In the coming days, the zoo will announce a call for tenders regarding the content and concept of this gallery.
    The reconstruction of the rare structures is being financed by the European Regional Development Fund. So far, 20 million crowns have been invested.
    Due to the reconstruction of the houses, complex negotiations took place. According to Ptačinská Jirátová, there was a possibility of returning them to Kbely, relocating them to Petřín, or placing them in another safe location within the zoo. Ultimately, the decision was made in favor of the last option. A land-use decision and subsequent building permits have been issued for their relocation within the zoo.