The buildings of the Plzeň Region are the clubhouse and park in Plzeň and the new track

Plzeň - The extension of the school club in Plzeň-Újezd, modernization of the Rokycany - Plzeň railway line, and the restoration of Lobezský park in Plzeň were named Buildings of the Year for the Plzeň Region 2018. In the 16th edition, the expert jury evaluated 20 buildings in seven categories and awarded main prizes in three - new buildings, transport and engineering structures, and public spaces. This was announced today by the spokesperson for the competition, Hana Kulawiaková.

"The exemplary high-quality modern extension of the school club in Plzeň-Újezd presents the purity of form and detail, unity, clarity, and logic of the proposed solution and the optical blending of internal and external spaces," said the jury chairman Miloslav Michalec. The modernization of the Rokycany - Plzeň railway line received the title for its highly professional execution and for its subtle integration of a significant transport structure into the landscape. The restoration of Lobezský park was recognized for its sensitive and creatively revitalized renovation of the suburban park, which offers new opportunities for recreation.

Thanks to the revitalization of construction, about twice as many interesting buildings were created in the region last year compared to several previous years of recession in the sector, said Jan Muzika, regional chairman of the Czech Association of Building Entrepreneurs, to ČTK.

The seven-member expert jury awarded the new building of the Prokop Holý Kindergarten in Stříbro for its original and uncompromising color conception of the interior. The public award was won in an online vote by more than 2000 people from across the region for the renovation of the building at Senecký pond in Plzeň, which mainly serves as a base for scouts. This building also received the award from the mayor of Plzeň, Martin Baxa (ODS). "The modern and pleasant building, thanks to its wooden façade, has significantly come to life. The house naturally blends into the surrounding nature and resonates more with the place by the pond," he said.

The Governor's Award went to the renovation of the square in Planá, which managed to combine the quality of the historical environment with the current needs of a modern city. "An amazing renovation that further emphasizes the charm of the town," stated Governor Josef Bernard (ČSSD).

The jury visits all the buildings, talking to investors and designers. Half of the nominated buildings are from Plzeň, while the other half are from the countryside. This year's competition featured an international juror for the first time, namely the Czech-Flemish architect and urban planner Jiří Klokočka. The Building of the Year 2017 award was given to the former cinema in Planá near Tachov, transformed into a multifunctional cultural space KINONEKINO, and a complex of apartment and row houses in Plzeň-Újezd.