Young architects designed the facade of the New Scene, they like the current one

Prague - From today until April 21, people can see the ideas of young architects on how the facade of the New Scene could be transformed on the piazza of the National Theatre. The results of an ideological architectural competition announced by a company producing modern building materials are being presented there. According to the chairman of the jury and architectural historian Zdeněk Lukeš, all proposals were very inventive. However, the facade with glass cladding designed by Stanislav Libenský will not be changed for now.
    Today, the winning architects presented their projects to journalists. They all agreed that, although the building is still considered controversial among the public, the architecture of Karel Prager and Libenský's facade deserves admiration and changing it would be a mistake.
    The competition brought forth 40 proposals, with the jury selecting architect Jiří Matura as the winner by a large margin. It is a reflection of Stanislav Libenský's glass facade, which, despite its considerable mass, appears very subtle, and at the same time characterizes a shift in paradigm in contemporary architecture, where computer technology allows for new shapes, Matura explained his approach.
    The dynamically shaped facade in his proposal covers the existing facade with a regular grid, using a material called corian; a condition of the competition was to use materials manufactured by the organizer.
    The jury awarded the second place to the studio Mimosa architects. They propose to temporarily cover the facade with two films, bind it with ropes, and blow air into the resulting space. The dynamic facade, a sort of inflatable bags, could serve as a projection screen. "In our concept, the facade is just a mediator, it is not meant to replace the existing amazing facade," said Pavel Matyska from the studio.
    The third prize was given to the studio COLL COLL. The intention emphasizes the value of the existing Prager building and symbolically creates a frame around it, without interfering with the own elements of the adored building. The jury appreciated the positioning of the elevator within the frame, which would take viewers above the building and provide them with a new perspective on it - both practically and symbolically.
    The company DuPont has been organizing similar competitions for some time, selecting various buildings, including the Roman Colosseum. This draws attention to its brand and to the materials that we call cosmic, Lukeš said. After the exhibition of proposals in Prague, the showcase will move to Ostrava. Along with proposals for similar treatments of other buildings from other countries, the Czech projects will tour exhibitions in other European countries.
    "The competition has nothing to do with any implementation, but can, like similar competitions, provide impulses, ideas, and contribute to the discussion about the New Scene building," said National Theatre director Ondřej Černý during last year's announcement of the competition. Even after discussions with current architects, he reportedly wants the building of the New Scene with its characteristic glass facade to remain "anchored in the time in which it was created."