In the competition Building of the Year in the Zlín Region, the Vařákovy Paseky Museum succeeded

Zlín - A new museum dedicated to the memory of the victims from the settlement of Vařákovy paseky in the Vsetín region, which the Nazis burned down at the end of World War II, received the governor's award in the competition for the Building of the Year 2015 in the Zlín Region, the highest award given this year. The jury also praised the processing of individual buildings, which are a scientific reconstruction of the homestead, especially the traditional materials and technologies used. It was a demanding job with natural materials; carpentry and stonemasonry are of very good quality, said the chairwoman of the jury and chief architect of Zlín, Dagmar Nová, to ČTK today.

This year, the Grand Prix of architect Pavel Novák in the competition for the most valuable construction work was not awarded by the jury, just like last year. The jury was particularly impressed by the successful revitalization of public spaces in towns and municipalities. According to Nová, it was difficult to choose from eight revitalization projects of public spaces, three of which were squares. "It is clear that cities and municipalities are focusing on public spaces, on what we architects are currently calling for the most. On places where people can meet, where cultural events can take place, where revitalization helps people enjoy the city,” Nová said.

According to her, cities are already placing emphasis on quality. "In recent years, it has mostly been concrete materials, the cheaper ones. Now cities are quite attentive to design and are using quality materials, primarily granite,” she stated. Artistic works are also beginning to be placed in public spaces. In the category of development projects of municipalities and towns, the jury awarded the main prize to the lookout tower Kelčský Javorník, with recognitions given to the renovations of squares in Uherské Hradiště, Vsetín, and Napajedla.

According to the jury, the category of family houses was also at a high level this year, with two buildings located in nature and designed in a modern way submitted. In the category of residential buildings, the main prize was awarded to the Seniorpark retirement home in Valašské Meziříčí. Among civil amenities, successful projects included the refurbishment of the Morava spa hotel in Luhačovice, while from the transportation, engineering, and ecological structures, the jury praised the roundabout in Horní Lidč.

This year's 14th edition of the competition attracted 41 buildings, one more than last year. The jury intends to award the main prize of the competition named after architect Pavel Novák, the late chief architect of the city of Zlín who was involved in establishing the competition, only in exceptional cases. In the past, it was awarded to the Zlín Baťa Institute, which was created by renovating factory buildings in the former Baťa industrial complex, and also to the nearby Business and Innovation Center.