The buildings of the Plzeň Region are the riding hall in Tachov, apartments, and a factory

photo: http://www.baroko2015.cz/

Plzeň - The reconstructed riding hall in Tachov-Světce, the residential building on Veleslavínova Street in Plzeň, and the Plzeň headquarters of Workpress Aviation have been named the Buildings of the Year for the Plzeň Region in 2016. In the 14th annual competition, 16 buildings competed in six categories, three fewer than in the previous year. This was reported today by the spokesperson for the competition, Martina Kurfirstová.

In the category of building reconstructions, the largest riding hall in the Czech Republic in Tachov-Světce won, receiving votes from the public as well. The building, which was threatened with demolition, has unique architectural features, including a frame with a prism-shaped skylight that allows the most light into the hall. The city of Tachov saved the riding hall at the last moment. People can visit it as part of guided tours and cultural events.

The residential building category was won by the new apartment building on Veleslavínova Street in Plzeň. The seven-member expert jury appreciated its sensitive integration into the historical core of the city and the combination of modern approaches with traditional principles. In the new category of industrial buildings, the headquarters of Workpress Aviation, a manufacturer of aircraft interior parts, was successful. The jury was impressed by the above-standard facilities for employees that correspond to modern trends, including spaces for active and passive forms of relaxation.

Honorary mentions were awarded to the completion of the lecture hall at the Faculty of Medicine in Plzeň and the sports hall of a school in Plzeň-Skvrňany. The jury's prize went to the considerate reconstruction of the former steam engine factory in Zbirožský Dvůr. The Mayor of Plzeň evaluated the reconstruction of the railway station as exceptionally successful, while the governor highlighted the renovation of the baroque granary building in the castle area in Hrádek near Sušice and emphasized its new social and cultural use aimed at families with children. The District Chamber of Commerce of Plzeň focused particularly on the reconstruction of the Klatovy - Železná Ruda track, while the Association of Entrepreneurs in Construction pointed out the manufacturing hall of SCHWER Fittings in Město Touškov.

According to the chairman of the board of the South West Chamber of Commerce, Miloslav Zeman, starting next year, a Prize for Outstanding Artistic-Architectural Element will be introduced, sponsored by the Architects' Association. "I believe it will stimulate some public pressure on investors and designers to stop sidelining the 'beauty' that occurs less often in contemporary buildings," he stated.

The Title of Building of the Year 2015 was awarded last year to the Environmental Center Krsy, the Heritage Construction Center in Plasy, the House of Nature in Český les in Klenčí, and the residential extension of the U Zvonu hotel in Plzeň.