<IPR> announces a competition for the design of the surroundings of its headquarters</IPR>

Prague - The Prague Institute of Planning and Development (IPR) will announce a competition for a new look of the environment around its buildings in the Emauz area. Next year, it will select a company to carry out the renovation of the buildings. This was stated by IPR spokesman Marek Vácha in response to a query from ČTK. The buildings designed by architect Karel Prager have, among other issues, structural problems and water leaks. The costs of repairs are not yet known. IPR is responsible for urban planning in the city.

"Preparations for the renovation of the buildings and the surroundings of the IPR are ongoing. Currently, we are assessing the needs and opinions of employees regarding the internal and external spaces of the institute," Vácha stated.

Based on the outputs from so-called participatory activities, the existing project for the renovation of the buildings will be adjusted. "Furthermore, the outputs will be used to prepare the tender for the transformation of the outdoor spaces," the spokesman said.

The competition for a new look of the outdoor spaces will be announced this autumn. The institute will issue a tender next year for the company that will renovate the buildings.

The historic stairs to Podskalí, leading to Pod Slovany street, will be renovated and made accessible. The area will be connected with the renovated gardens of the Emauz Monastery, recreational and rest areas will be created, the pathway network will be modified, and cars will be removed from the area. A new orientation system, benches, bins, and lighting will be introduced.

The 'cubes' of Prager are in poor condition. This concerns, for example, the suspended structural system used, which does not even meet today's standards. In addition to the renovation of all three buildings, a new rainwater management system will be created, and the roofs will be so-called green. Some of them will feature accessible rooftop terraces. This will particularly apply to the building of the Center for Architecture and Urban Planning (CAMP).

Architect Karel Prager also designed the buildings of the former Federal Assembly. The buildings were constructed at the end of the 1960s in the so-called brutalist style.