The interior of the year is a duplex in Prague's Obecní dvůr by architect Netík

photo: Filip Šlapal

Prague - The best interior of last year was declared a duplex in Prague's Obecní dvůr by architect Rudolf Netík. This duplex also won in the category of new buildings in the sixth year of the Interior of the Year competition. The announcement was made in a press release by the Institute of Housing Design, which organizes the competition. The award winners received their honors today at the DOX Center for Contemporary Art in Prague.

The duplex in Obecní dvůr, which became the absolute winner of the competition, was created by Netík in his studio RN architectural firm. The international jury appreciated, according to the organizers, especially the respect for the spirit of the place, where modern and historical elements were naturally combined. Among other things, it highlighted the use of original lighting created specifically for the given space.

The jury selected from a total of 211 interiors by Czech and Slovak architects and interior designers. In addition to a number of expensive interiors, the organizers noted that this year's competition saw the largest number of renovations of panel apartments and the most offices in the history of the Interior of the Year.

"This is essentially a huge triumph for Czech and Slovak interiors over objective obstacles, as the year 2020 was framed by anti-epidemic measures, bans, and restrictions. It literally stifled the emergence of anything new, perhaps with the exception of mutations of COVID-19. Due to the circumstances, suddenly everyone, regardless of budget and type of project, realized how essential the quality of the interior is," said the director and founder of the competition Petr Tschakert.

The awards for this year's competition were designed as large glass torches, which according to the organizers symbolize a message or enlightenment. According to the trophy's designer, Boris Klimko, they can also represent "the light at the end of the tunnel." The torches were produced by the glassworks of Martin Wichterle's Bomma.