Brno is threatened with a lawsuit from architects over the Janáček Concert Hall project

Brno - The Brno ODS fears delays in the construction of the Janáček Cultural Centre, which should be completed in 2022. This was stated today to reporters by Markéta Vaňková, the leading candidate of the party for the October municipal elections. The reason is the new design of the concert hall, which the city presented on Friday. According to Vaňková, it is in contradiction with the previously issued and valid zoning decision. This will necessitate a change in the zoning decision, which will extend the entire project. The city also faces a lawsuit from earlier designers, as the city has now chosen different ones.

On Friday, Brno presented the study of the new hall. “As for the planned construction, its dimension in the arcade exceeds the original outline. This is mainly due to the dynamics of the object, which is dictated by the acoustic requirements. The primary goal for the city is to ensure that the new hall is at a top technical level. Once the entire project is completed, we will intervene with all concerned authorities. I believe that the negotiations with the authorities will be within the law, correct, and accommodating,” stated the press department of the Brno magistrate, relaying an earlier statement from Mayor Petr Vokřál (ANO).

According to the mayor, the city would like to complete the hall in 2022. However, Vaňková stated that this is not possible. “A change in the zoning decision is a matter of several years. Once it is issued, another phase can begin,” Vaňková emphasized. She believes the city should return to the old project, draw up a new project in accordance with the zoning decision, and then construct the building. Compared to the previous project, the building is one floor higher and its capacity has increased from 1,000 spectators to 1,300.

The city will also face a lawsuit, which Vokřál said is understood. The Prague studio M1, which won the competition for the design of the concert hall fourteen years ago, intends to file it. However, city representatives now presented a different project by other authors. According to the original architects, the authors could build upon their project, but not completely change it, which they consider a breach of contract. “In the framework of the international competition, which several studios applied for, the Konior studio was selected. M1 did not succeed in this competition, and this situation was resolved by taking over the licensing agreement,” Vokřál added.

The Janáček Cultural Centre, costing approximately 1.3 billion crowns, is to offer 1,300 seats. The state is to contribute 600 million, the city the same amount, and the South Moravian Region is to provide 100 million. It will serve as a facility for the Brno Philharmonic.