Reconstruction of Komořany Square

Revitalization of the unused area in the central part of Komořany in Prague, which is bordered by the streets Komořanská, Revoluce, and Kyslíková. In the past, this unmaintained and empty space was merely a thoroughfare for the residents of Komořany on their way to the bus or to Billa. However, its attractive central location invited enhancement. The southern part has been and still is a transit area for connection to the bus stop. This area was created by designating a former approach road and turnaround for buses that had previously diverted through Revoluce Street. Originally, there were no elements of street furniture, it was not an attractive place to stay, and due to the heat, it was downright discouraging (not a single tree grew on the site, nor was there a single bench). The Prague 12 district approached us to come up with a quick, inexpensive idea that could be realized in a very short time. There were only a few months for everything, with a budget set in the range of millions. We proposed to keep the existing worn paths, merely repair them, add urban furniture, and, above all, plant greenery to protect the passage from the sun. The principle was "as much music as possible for little money." Work with trees (thanks to the quick, smart, and modern ideas of Lukáš Štefl, one of the first plantings in so-called soil modular cells was realized here), benches, exercise elements, ping-pong, and mini-attractions for children. Raw, cheap, and readily available materials, simple details, durability, and easy maintenance, with strong pressure on the speed of implementation and its cost (uff, how else). The area now serves as a public square, part park, part playground, where people don’t just pass through but sometimes sit down, rest, and occasionally even exercise lightly; children swing and jump, and occasionally street ping-pong is played, thus slowing down and coloring today’s robotic life. The space has come to life, has turned green, and has been filled with sound (from children). For us architects, it is a satisfaction to see people on the street, ideally using the designed elements naturally and without instructions. We also proposed an artwork related to the industry of the neighboring factories, a workout facility, and to color the asphalt blue (with the greenery meant to evoke landscapes from an airplane), but this was not realized. In our opinion, the current state should only be the initial impulse for some more generous intervention since the area has enormous urban potential and a very strategic location. This, however, is a challenge for the investor (and their architect).