The region announced an architectural competition for the modernization of the Hradec Observatory

Hradec Králové - The Královéhradecký region has announced an architectural competition for the project documentation of the modernization of the Observatory and Planetarium in Hradec Králové. The competition is in two phases, with the evaluation of proposals from the second phase planned for May 2024, representatives of the regional government informed ČTK today. The deadline for submitting the first proposals is February 12 by 10:00, and the region will invite submissions for the second phase on March 4, with a deadline for proposals by May 20, 2024.

"The Observatory is one of the landmarks on the southern edge of Hradec Králové, and the proposals submitted to the architectural competition should be based on this reality and respect it. They should also respond to the specific operation of visitor, educational, and scientific activities," said Deputy Governor for Culture and Tourism Martina Berdychová (Východočeši).

A fundamental criterion for evaluating the competition proposals will be the preservation of the functionality of the facility, particularly in terms of scientific and educational aspects. "We announced the competition for the project documentation for the modernization of the observatory building as a two-phase process, which will allow the committee to communicate closely with selected teams of architects and assess the widest possible spectrum of proposals," Berdychová stated.

In the first phase, the competition will be open to the widest circle of applicants, and the submitted proposals will be evaluated anonymously by the jury. "The eight best-rated proposals will advance to the second phase of the competition, in which selected competitors will have the opportunity to respond to comments, suggestions, and evaluations from the first phase of the competition and then refine their proposals in greater detail. At this stage, the evaluation will no longer be anonymous," Berdychová added.

The financial costs associated with organizing the architectural competition and the subsequent pre-project and project preparation of the investment intention are based on the estimated construction costs. They are preliminarily calculated at around 160 million crowns, including construction.

The goal of the investment in the Hradec Králové Observatory, according to the regional government, is to support public interest in natural sciences. New places for telescopes or a so-called solar tower are expected to be created. The largest investment in the Hradec Králové Observatory in recent years was the construction of a digital planetarium for 111 million crowns, which opened in January 2015.

Since 2014, the visitation of the Hradec Králové Observatory and Planetarium has been increasing, and it ranks among the regional cultural and educational institutions with the highest interest. For example, in 2022, educational programs for schools in the facilities of the observatory and planetarium were attended by 18,575 students, teachers, and educators, while programs for the public attracted 14,112 visitors, the region reported.

The foundation stone of the Hradec Králové Observatory was laid in April 1947, and construction gradually continued until 1961. In 1954, the Regional People's Observatory in Hradec Králové was established. The institution was initially established by the Hradec Králové District National Committee and since 1991 by the District Office in Hradec Králové. Since January 1, 2003, the founder has been the Královéhradecký region. The building has always housed the Solar and Ozone Observatory of the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute.