 |
The key role of the KKFF Foundation in the recovery of Hodonín after the tornado
The Karel Komárek Family Foundation (KKFF) makes a significant contribution to architecture and urbanism in the tornado-affected town of Hodonín. In collaboration with the city, it is helping to restore the extensive area of Bažantnice. The family foundation of the Komárek couple has allocated 150 million crowns for both immediate and long-term solutions to the impacts of the natural disaster. Its team also provides expert assistance, which is evidenced by the very first joint meeting of architects involved in the restoration. The event in Prague’s Bořislavka offered, in February and in the presence of representatives from Hodonín’s city hall, a valuable opportunity to discuss the interconnections of individual projects.
Wednesday, February 15, 2023. The date when representatives of the city of Hodonín arrived at the headquarters of the Karel Komárek Family Foundation in Prague’s Bořislavka for the very first joint meeting with architects working on the city’s recovery post-tornado. The presentation of projects at various stages of development transformed into a fruitful and idea-rich workshop.
The presentation of six partial projects for different parts of Bažantnice took place at a brisk pace and very effectively. The event format grew into an extraordinarily constructive workshop. It was evident that all authors of architectural proposals genuinely care about the common outcome. This was particularly reflected in the efforts to find harmony among the projects, linkages, or, for example, unifying elements. Among these included an information system, public lighting, and a considered catalog of materials used. It was therefore beneficial that representatives from Hodonín's city hall, led by mayor Libor Střech and city architect Ondřej Stolařík, participated directly in the discussions. Everyone could immediately respond to the architects’ suggestions and benefit from the exchange of specific information.
"The mission of our foundation is to create opportunities for discussion among key actors who are involved in the transformation of this extensive public space and to moderate this discussion as well. More than four hours of work resulted, among other things, in an agreement on a common approach in areas where multiple projects are conceptually intersecting. We will continue to hold fruitful meetings in the future,” said Luboš Veselý, director of the Karel Komárek Family Foundation.
Some projects aimed at restoring Hodonín's Bažantnice were already in various stages of development before the disaster. For instance, there was the sports area U Červených domků or the suburban forest. However, the act of higher powers compelled the architects to revise the projects more or less, considering the new reality. Practically, the trees ceased to exist. As noted by Zdenek Sendler, a member of the board of the second Komárek Foundation – the Transformation Foundation – which is responsible for the restoration of the park in front of ZŠ U Červených domků, "the tornado is the biggest landscaper. No permits for felling trees, no tying to trees… It’s all painted over, and we are planning.”
Following his words, Hodonín’s city architect Ondřej Stolařík added, "The tornado brought destruction, and at the same time, an opportunity to build. So, it’s not just about restoration but also about the effort to bring new quality to the affected part of the city. Although some projects were developed before the tornado, it was essential to concentrate energy into a much larger number of projects simultaneously. And that is only possible with well-functioning cooperation,” said Stolařík.
For the foundations to decide to participate in projects, they must see primarily long-term potential in them, as only through long-term partnerships with grant recipients can positive and sustainable impacts on society be achieved. An example of the Karel Komárek Transformation Foundation's activities can be seen in its participation in the restoration of the river Loučná embankment in Litomyšl, which received an award in the Urbanism category at the Grand Prix of Architects 2019 and also an honorable mention as a finalist for the Czech Architecture Award 2018. The foundation also contributed to projects in the field of garden and landscape architecture for Jiráskovy sady in Litoměřice (2017) and on Santos Island in the South Bohemian town of Sušice (2014).
In Hodonín, the KKFF team is focusing on the aforementioned area of the suburban forest Bažantnice, where specific projects are currently underway. The most extensive area is the sports area U Červených domků, where a new sports square and parks with public sports facilities will be established. The House of Nature will feature a permanent exhibit of rare protected flora and fauna of the national natural monument Hodonínská Dúbrava, which is part of the forest park.
The meeting of architects involved in the restoration of Hodonín after the tornado enabled the participants to gain a valuable perspective on projects that are at various stages of development, viewed as an urban complex. The KKFF plans to organize similar events in the future, during which key actors will be able to share information about architectural and landscape studies and research.
Wednesday, February 15, 2023. The date when representatives of the city of Hodonín arrived at the headquarters of the Karel Komárek Family Foundation in Prague’s Bořislavka for the very first joint meeting with architects working on the city’s recovery post-tornado. The presentation of projects at various stages of development transformed into a fruitful and idea-rich workshop.
The presentation of six partial projects for different parts of Bažantnice took place at a brisk pace and very effectively. The event format grew into an extraordinarily constructive workshop. It was evident that all authors of architectural proposals genuinely care about the common outcome. This was particularly reflected in the efforts to find harmony among the projects, linkages, or, for example, unifying elements. Among these included an information system, public lighting, and a considered catalog of materials used. It was therefore beneficial that representatives from Hodonín's city hall, led by mayor Libor Střech and city architect Ondřej Stolařík, participated directly in the discussions. Everyone could immediately respond to the architects’ suggestions and benefit from the exchange of specific information.
"The mission of our foundation is to create opportunities for discussion among key actors who are involved in the transformation of this extensive public space and to moderate this discussion as well. More than four hours of work resulted, among other things, in an agreement on a common approach in areas where multiple projects are conceptually intersecting. We will continue to hold fruitful meetings in the future,” said Luboš Veselý, director of the Karel Komárek Family Foundation.
Some projects aimed at restoring Hodonín's Bažantnice were already in various stages of development before the disaster. For instance, there was the sports area U Červených domků or the suburban forest. However, the act of higher powers compelled the architects to revise the projects more or less, considering the new reality. Practically, the trees ceased to exist. As noted by Zdenek Sendler, a member of the board of the second Komárek Foundation – the Transformation Foundation – which is responsible for the restoration of the park in front of ZŠ U Červených domků, "the tornado is the biggest landscaper. No permits for felling trees, no tying to trees… It’s all painted over, and we are planning.”
Following his words, Hodonín’s city architect Ondřej Stolařík added, "The tornado brought destruction, and at the same time, an opportunity to build. So, it’s not just about restoration but also about the effort to bring new quality to the affected part of the city. Although some projects were developed before the tornado, it was essential to concentrate energy into a much larger number of projects simultaneously. And that is only possible with well-functioning cooperation,” said Stolařík.
KKFF and Public Space
The restoration of public space represents one of the pillars of the KKFF's activities. Its vision is to create quality public spaces that are a natural part of life. This mission is also pursued by the Karel Komárek Transformation Foundation, which, like KKFF, supports the collaboration of all who participate in the transformation of cities and their new forms. Currently, public discussions of the proposals are being prepared with citizens, following a previously completed survey. The foundations consider the involvement of citizens at all stages of the project to be essential in creating public space.For the foundations to decide to participate in projects, they must see primarily long-term potential in them, as only through long-term partnerships with grant recipients can positive and sustainable impacts on society be achieved. An example of the Karel Komárek Transformation Foundation's activities can be seen in its participation in the restoration of the river Loučná embankment in Litomyšl, which received an award in the Urbanism category at the Grand Prix of Architects 2019 and also an honorable mention as a finalist for the Czech Architecture Award 2018. The foundation also contributed to projects in the field of garden and landscape architecture for Jiráskovy sady in Litoměřice (2017) and on Santos Island in the South Bohemian town of Sušice (2014).
In Hodonín, the KKFF team is focusing on the aforementioned area of the suburban forest Bažantnice, where specific projects are currently underway. The most extensive area is the sports area U Červených domků, where a new sports square and parks with public sports facilities will be established. The House of Nature will feature a permanent exhibit of rare protected flora and fauna of the national natural monument Hodonínská Dúbrava, which is part of the forest park.
The meeting of architects involved in the restoration of Hodonín after the tornado enabled the participants to gain a valuable perspective on projects that are at various stages of development, viewed as an urban complex. The KKFF plans to organize similar events in the future, during which key actors will be able to share information about architectural and landscape studies and research.
About KKFF
The Karel Komárek Family Foundation (KKFF) helps to develop Czech cultural heritage and transform public space. It is also engaged in other areas, where it seeks to change people’s thinking and enhance their potential. This focus is manifested in the support of the Dvořákova Praha international music festival, the Pianos in Schools project, or the activities of the Karel Komárek Transformation Foundation, aimed at restoring large urban parks and school gardens. The foundation emphasizes not only the development of long-term projects but also acts where it is currently needed. During the pandemic crisis, it addressed the problems of seniors, got involved in addressing the impacts of the tornado in Moravia, and the social consequences of the war in Ukraine. KKFF has long supported the Kennedy Center in Washington, to which it contributed, among other things, to the artistic scene called REACH. The family foundation was established in June 2017 by Karel Komárek and his wife Štěpánka Komárková.The English translation is powered by AI tool. Switch to Czech to view the original text source.
0 comments
add comment
