Central Group will redesign the Telecom building according to Eva Jiřičná's design

Prague - The development company Central Group will convert the former Telecom building in Prague's Žižkov district according to the design by architect Eva Jiřičná. The expert jury selected from proposals by 98 architectural studios from 30 countries, with 12 advancing to the final round. Central Group announced this today in a press release to ČTK. The winning project includes not only apartments but also public space with greenery, commercial areas, and a kindergarten. Central Group bought the building from the Czech telecommunications infrastructure company (CETIN) of the PPF group in 2017.

"In the winning proposal, the jury appreciated not only the architecture and thoughtful technical solution but also the creation of a large public space with greenery. The extent of the public space was the largest of all the assessed final proposals. A total of nearly 70 percent of the total area of this plot will be opened to the public. That amounts to about 27,000 m²," the report states.

The winning design by Jiřičná features white glass circular towers with a harmonious architecture and plans to utilize the latest environmentally friendly technologies, such as heating using heat pumps. It also plans for green roofs and the recycling of rainwater for irrigation.

"For this location, we originally expected a project that was less financially and technically demanding. However, the high architectural quality and uniqueness of the winning proposal convinced the entire jury and me personally. This could bring truly unique architecture to Prague with the typical design of Eva Jiřičná," said Central Group owner Dušan Kunovský.

In preparing the proposal, Jiřičná collaborated with the architectural and engineering company ARUP from London. They designed, among other things, the expansion of Gaudí's Sagrada Família cathedral in Barcelona and the opera in Sydney.

Details of the winning proposal will be presented by Jiřičná at a public presentation on June 19 at the Café Louvre Gallery. The proposals from other competition participants will also be presented. The second place was taken by British architect Ian Ritchie, while the design by Czech architect Radek Kolařík finished in third place.

Architect Jiřičná is renowned for her work with glass, metal, and concrete. Among her most famous buildings in Prague are the Orangerie at Prague Castle and the Hotel Josef in the Old Town. She also modified the interiors of the Dancing House. In London, where she emigrated after the occupation in August 1968, she designed, for example, exhibition spaces for the Victoria and Albert Museum. She is a recipient of the Order of the British Empire, has been elected a member of the Royal Academy of Arts, and is inducted into the American Hall of Fame.

The former Telecom building is located on Olšanská Street in Prague's Žižkov. It was opened in 1980 and was once referred to as "Štrougal's Tower" after the then Prime Minister. It is now technologically outdated and non-functional. According to Kunovský, it will have to be demolished and ecologically disposed of due to the extremely high amount of harmful asbestos.

The company CETIN, which leases its fixed and mobile network to operators, plans to move from its Žižkov headquarters this year to an administrative building next to the O2 Arena in Vysočany, which is being built by Kaprain Group and Lighthouse Group.