Price HOCHTIEF CZ - space for living

The urban layout of Svatobořice-Mistřín has a distinct linear structure. The plots are narrow and long, oriented towards the main road. The study utilizes this typology, which strikingly resembles the structure of vineyards, and seeks to further interpret and develop it.

The authors have creatively approached a theme that is not simple. Svatobořice-Mistřín is a renewed "double settlement" that lacks a natural core in this form. The area at the intersection of the main and secondary (pilgrimage) roads is where the municipal office and "house of culture" are located in a problematically rebuilt building, which is marred by temporary structures (builders' yards, stalls, and sheds…). Despite not being equipped for it, it annually becomes the center of traditional international folklore festivities.

The design creates suitable opportunities and facilities for this exceptional event (covered outdoor terrace, representative restaurant…) and correctly defines a richer structure rather than something like a "square," maintaining the scale of a village, almost a "theme park," which bears the potential to serve and be lively throughout the year—a true "space for life" (playgrounds, stadium building, rest areas, parking, etc.). The solution for greenery in the form of vineyards has both compositional and symbolic significance.

The South Moravian Region has a strong cultural and folklore tradition. It is a region that many people associate with folk costumes, wine, and cimbalom music. The municipality of Svatobořice-Mistřín preserves this tradition, but it lives in the shadow of Kyjov and does not offer sufficiently attractive conditions for the support and development of folklore. It is a long village that lacks a central and gathering space. Its urban layout along the main road practically does not offer this possibility.
Our aim is to help Svatobořice-Mistřín find a way to better profit from its traditional values and create conditions for its further development. Svatobořice-Mistřín must offer more than what its surroundings provide in strong competition. Otherwise, it will remain just one of the other villages in the vicinity of Kyjov.
The urban layout of Svatobořice-Mistřín has a distinct linear structure. The plots are narrow and long, oriented perpendicular to the main road. The houses are built in close proximity, parallel to the road. Behind the houses are farm buildings, and gardens begin. This typology is regularly repeated.
Along the main road, about two kilometers from the start of the village, there is a cultural and municipal house, which is part of the area being addressed. Below them is another dominant building: a mill. These buildings, in terms of their significance and size, suggest the center of the village.

According to the assignment and the urban plan, these are objects that are suitable to be preserved. In the proposed solution, we tried to further expand these relationships. On the site of today's parking lot, a new building for the post office and savings bank is proposed. The municipal office thus gains more space and barrier-free access. The entrance to the guesthouse, cultural house, and library is simplified and resolved from a single central space. A shop is further proposed on the ground floor of the cultural house. We have relocated the inappropriate and unrepresentative restaurant areas to the ground floor of the new building at the corner of Hlavní and Nádražní streets. The first floor serves as a terrace for the main hall of the cultural house and can be utilized primarily during festivals, balls, or other folklore and cultural events. It is a dominant building with an upper terrace covered by a membrane structure. It is a volume that is meant to indicate the social center of the village and the importance of the location.
The southern part of the proposal is dominated by the mill building. In this object, a cultural and information center, a wine shop for promoting local winemakers, and a bar with a terrace are proposed. Adjacent to the mill is the volume of the guesthouse. This area is separated from the football field by a long, narrow building. In it, spaces for rehearsal rooms, club rooms, and a folk costume museum are proposed towards the mill. Towards the playground, this long volume serves as an open grandstand for the football field. The main entrance for fans to the football stadium with adjacent parking is also proposed here.
The space around the mill is not intended to be a square in the classical sense. Such a solution would have neither historical nor social justification. It should serve primarily as a variable center of activities with diverse functions: a children's playground, bakery, snack bar, space for merry-go-rounds, bicycle rental, mini-golf playground, basketball, etc.
Parking is proposed below the municipal office and cultural house. For temporary events such as festivals or football matches, we believe it is possible to use the areas in the southern tip of the football field.
For the selected architectural design, we used the mentioned typology of long, narrow plots, which we tried to further interpret and develop. This typology also strikingly resembles the structure of vineyards, which are a symbol of the region. The character of the vineyard changes throughout the year, offering a variable and captivating atmosphere. Its regular grid creates a module in which social life takes place. It provides spaces for both folklore and social events as well as for the daily lives of the residents. The significance of the vineyard is thus expanded and responds to the current needs of the village.

In the assigned area, we have tried to create a new public center for the village, thereby meeting the social demands of the residents, which was also the subject of the assignment. We proposed facilities to support tourism (information center, guesthouse, museum, new restaurant...), facilities to support wine routes and cycling paths (wine shop, bicycle rental), and public amenities (post office, dance terrace, playground, club rooms, etc.). The design resolves parking for both the village residents and for potential visitors to temporary events.

The culture of South Moravia and its traditions are very strong. Unfortunately, not always are suitable conditions created for their development and promotion. A dignified and pleasant environment is a necessity for both residents and visitors to this region. Only in this way, in our opinion, can this specific culture be further preserved and developed.

---

Dipl. Ing. Jan Proksa (1982) - studied architecture at the Czech Technical University in Prague (Bc.), then within the Socrates/Erasmus exchange program at the University of Technology in Helsinki. He completed his studies with a master's program at TU Wien. He currently works in Vienna and participates in the urban project for the revitalization of Wien Mitte/Landstrasse (subway station, Vienna – Central) together with architects Ortner & Ortner, Neumann + Steiner, Lintl + Lintl.

DI Lucie Vencelidesová (1981) - studied architecture at the Czech Technical University in Prague and at the Technical University of Vienna. She completed her diploma thesis at the workshop of William Alsop (2008). Since September 2008, she has been working at the architectural office Fasch&Fuchs in Vienna.