The first prize for the architectural diploma thesis goes to a student from the AVU

Filip Kotlář, Documentation Center of Czech Germans in Ústí nad Labem / AVU Prague

Prague - The first prize in the competition for diploma theses of students from Czech architectural universities was awarded to Filip Kotlář from Emil Přikryl's studio at the Academy of Fine Arts. The jury selected as the best his proposal for the Documentation Center of Czech Germans in Ústí nad Labem from 99 works. In the 15th edition of the competition, the jury awarded a total of six prizes; along with another twenty works that made it to the finals, they will be displayed starting today at the headquarters of the Czech Chamber of Architects (ČKA) on Josefská Street until October 31.
    This year's exhibition, according to the jury, showed, among other things, that emerging architects understand that architecture is a holistic field that touches on a range of sectors. They did not shy away from social or political issues. "All the awarded projects confirm this thoughtfulness of the concept and the effort to address pressing topics," states the jury.
    The Documentation Center of Czech Germans aims to focus on the history and cultural heritage of the German population in the Czech lands. The jury appreciated the building proposal for its "strong idea captured through simple artistic means and uncompromisingly executed to an almost sculptural expression." According to experts, the author successfully dealt with the diverse surrounding buildings and was able to combine four internal functions of the building into one whole. "He managed a socially controversial and architecturally complex topic with exceptional ease and authenticity," states the jury.
    The second prize was awarded to Jan Vybíral from Prague's UMPRUM for a study on the possible resettlement of Šumava. Jitka Brablecová from Jan Šépka's studio at the Faculty of Architecture of CTU received the third prize for her work "The Villages of Malé and Vysoké Březno." In it, she addresses the search for a new center of the municipality and the completion of traditional residential functions in the village. "The proposal successfully seeks an answer to the need for sustainable development of the Czech village. The author naturally complements the existing buildings, strengthens the center, connects to the original paths, and creates links to the surrounding landscape. The project can be understood as a model spatial plan for a small municipality," stated the jury.
    An honorable mention was awarded to Barbora Zmeková from UMPRUM for her proposal to convert the former brewery building in Znojmo, a special award went to Petra Husslíková from the Faculty of Civil Engineering at VUT Brno for her design of a new synagogue for Brno, and Vojtěch Jemelka from AVU for a restored Stations of the Cross for Stříbrnice in the Jeseníky Mountains; his project also addresses the theme of the expulsion of Germans. Jemelka's small structures, which are physically just outlines of the original chapels, aim to primarily serve as a pathway for the meeting of various, often conflicting communities.
    The diploma thesis exhibition is organized by the ČKA annually as a competitive showcase of defended diploma theses from graduates of universities providing architectural education. The goal of the exhibition is to compare the quality of the individual schools and to present the works of recent graduates to the public.