Revitalization of Řezáč Square

The revitalization project addresses the new face and use of Řezáčovo náměstí in Prague 7. Until now, this space has been defined as an intersection of five streets with a grassy central area. This area was largely inaccessible due to the installation of fencing protecting the vegetation from vandalism and dogs. The entire space was unmaintainable and therefore neglected. The goal of the proposed solution was to restore to the entire space the status of a square, as declared in its name.
The user assignment concept was developed within the framework of a planning weekend, with public participation, held under the name “ One Place in Prague 7” in 2004. The author aimed to incorporate the comments and suggestions approved at the mentioned event and give them a concrete architectural form:

• A square as a public space
• A square, not a park, not a playground
• A place for gathering and sitting
• Traffic calming in the square area
• Maximum restriction of traffic in the square
  – parking – within the square area

The entire area of the square was unified at one elevation level, including vehicular access and sidewalks. From a traffic perspective, this represents a calmed, residential zone with speed restrictions. The driving lanes in the square are marked only by different colors and textures of the pavement, thereby separating them from pedestrian areas. Parking is restricted within the square area. The street in the northern part of the square was fully integrated into the space of the square. Through these simple interventions, a completely open spatial concept was achieved with maximum freedom of movement, especially for pedestrians. Optically, the entire space was enlarged.
The square area was completely paved with stone paving. This paving, its aesthetics and character, are the fundamental architectural elements of the entire spatial solution. Low greenery was removed from the square area. Its contribution in such a small area and its necessary protection against devastation were the main reasons for this decision. The carriers of greenery in the square area are the original mature trees, which create pleasant conditions for relaxation in the recreational zone of the space. The paving ends at a sufficient distance from the existing trees so that conditions for their further growth are preserved. The inaccessibility of tree trunks for walking dogs was addressed with boulder stone fields around these trees.
The plane of the square is complemented by integrated quadratic stone elements of the same footprint dimension, set in a geometric grid. Depending on their height above the ground, these elements are subsequently assigned their function - tile, bench, flowerpot, pedestal for placing a work of art, drinking fountain....

Lighting of the square is achieved by illuminating the crowns of the trees and using their sprawling crowns as reflective surfaces.