Lenka Prokopová - Smíchov Urbanism

4th Year FA CTU (Studio of Vladimír Krátký)

The project addresses part of Prague's Smíchov area near the Smíchov train station from Moulíkova Street further towards the center. Currently, the area has non-compact development primarily used as storage and production facilities.

The territory is bordered by two busy roads, Nádražní and Strakonická streets. These are sources of noise and pollution; Strakonická street also creates a barrier between the area and the Vltava riverbank. Despite these negatives, in my opinion, the area has great potential – it is relatively close to the center of Prague and is well accessible by all types of public transport. After the reconstruction of Smíchov train station, it could become an interesting transport hub with additional functions.

The basic concept of the division of the area tries to connect with the division of the older Smíchov development, which is based on blocks of residential buildings. The design is based on this division and the addressed territory is divided into six "blocks," each with different functions and attempting to logically connect with their surroundings and each other.

In proximity to the train station, a seven-story administrative building is proposed with a retail arcade on the ground floor, which should serve as a linkage from the station to other newly proposed buildings.
The first "block" houses a six-story hotel, with two levels of underground garages. The hotel includes conference halls, a restaurant, and supporting facilities for sports and relaxation.
The second "block" is designed as a compact shopping center. It has two above-ground floors with shops and one underground floor, which contains a grocery store. It includes four above-ground and two underground levels of garages, which are intended not only for the shopping center but also partially for the adjacent museum.
The Museum of Science and Technology serves as a certain center for the entire addressed area. The entire museum is located at the level of the first underground floor. On its roof, there is a park with an open staircase leading to an entrance, which is part of the exhibition and is visually connected with the interior part of the museum through skylights that also provide lighting for the museum's interior spaces. The staircase and the pre-entry area of the museum may occasionally serve various cultural events such as outdoor theater, concerts, and similar activities. At the same time, there is a connection to the riverbank under the road, and the park with exhibits continues onto the Vltava riverbank. The museum also includes a specialized bookstore and a café with a terrace cantilevered over the river.
The other three "blocks" are functionally designed as residential and administrative buildings. The seven-story administrative building serves as a noise barrier to Strakonická street and provides greater privacy and tranquility for the residential buildings. Parking in the administrative building is accommodated in three levels of underground garages. The residential buildings have six floors and come in two types. The buildings facing Nádražní street have shops and services on the ground floor, while the buildings closer to the administrative building are designed as gallery houses, with living rooms facing a tranquil, landscaped area. Parking is also provided in the underground garages on two levels.
The architecture school complex is somewhat specific compared to the other "blocks"; it is located on the site of a former distillery. The factory building has been preserved, for which a conversion into lecture halls is proposed. Additionally, new buildings for the administrative and educational parts are planned, connected to a building with studios that includes the old factory chimney. Five specialized studios with workshops and a canteen building are separately located. Public outdoor spaces and exterior parking are planned. Underground garages are proposed beneath the administrative part.
In the northern part of the riverbank, small family houses are designed, placed on a steel structure and cantilevered over the river's surface. They represent a specific type of housing in an interesting environment and are a type of housing on water.

In the design, I aimed to create an urban space focusing on leveraging the potential of the river's proximity, even though it is separated by a busy thoroughfare. The functional composition seeks to integrate multiple functions so that the spaces are evenly utilized throughout the day and do not become deserted during certain periods.