Czech Chamber of Architects criticizes the competition for a new pool in Prague 6

Prague - The Czech Chamber of Architects (ČKA) criticizes the competition for the design of the covered swimming pool in the Petynka swimming area in Prague 6. They are bothered, for example, that only students from the Faculty of Civil Engineering at the Czech Technical University can participate in the competition, and that there are not enough independent experts on the jury. ČTK was informed of this today by ČKA spokesperson Zuzana Hošková. The swimming area is expected to be transformed by the end of 2019, with an investment of approximately 170 million crowns. According to SNEO, which manages the area, holding a traditional architectural competition would mean delays and additional costs, and they promise "youthful, creative solutions" from the students.

"This form of public procurement cannot bring the expected quality or an economical result," the chamber stated. The municipality declares that the competition is announced in accordance with the Competition Regulations of the ČKA. However, according to the chamber, the competition does not meet several points of the regulations and has attributes of an irregular competition. "For example, there is a lack of a majority of independent experts on the jury, and there are also disproportionately low prizes for the winners of the competition," Hošková stated.

According to SNEO spokesperson Michaela Kahle, the municipality wants to utilize 22 completed architectural studies for the completion of Petynka, which cost ten million crowns. "A delay of at least several months and costs amounting to at least hundreds of thousands of crowns, which would result from announcing an architectural competition at this preparatory stage, would ultimately bring several years of delay or repeated postponement of the entire project back to square one," Kahle told ČTK.

The processing of the swimming hall is such a challenging task according to the chamber that students cannot handle it thoroughly. However, according to the municipality, students will only create the appearance of the building, and the winning design will then be further developed. "The morphology of the building and the design of the facade must respond to the internal layout of the building and technology, and therefore it is extremely necessary for both issues to be addressed by a single author," added the ČKA spokesperson.

The new hall will connect to the facility building of the swimming area. In addition to a 25-meter swimming pool, a sauna, and a paddling pool, it should include a restaurant that will serve visitors of both the hall and the outdoor area. A unique wave pool is expected to be part of it.

The area manager, the joint-stock company SNEO owned by Prague 6, is responsible for investments and property management in Prague 6. In the past, it primarily focused on the privatization of apartments.