Square in front of Masaryk Station - competition results
The architectural competition for the design of the new square in front of Masaryk Station has announced its winners. The jury appreciated the idea and execution by the architects from the studio Perspektiv, who aim to transform the ungrasped space at the station into a new lively square in Prague.
Masaryk Station is somewhat of a forgotten place where the history of our republic was written. Today, it stands before a similar situation as more than a hundred years ago, only in a new context. With the emergence of the Main Station, Masaryk lost its luster and was literally pushed onto a secondary track. The areas around the station have gradually turned into parking lots, and the quality of public space has declined to its current state.
The planned urbanism, including a dominant building by Zaha Hadid Architects, the railway line from the airport, and connections to Florenc, will bring new energy to the area. The transformation will also include the square in front of Masaryk Station, which will be taken care of by the architects from studio Perspektiv. The project's realization is planned for the end of next year.
A square with a railway at its heart
The design by Perspektiv studio consists of a stratification of elements creating a new square - permeable, comfortable, modular, and clear. The surfaces define the spatial composition and clearly divide the zones. In the center of the square, the architects place a block of trees, which is intended to provide shade during waiting for trains in summer months, or serve for quick stops in a busy area. The architects have clearly defined the boundaries of the new square using a grid of prominent blocks of so-called sleepers that respond to the geometry of the buildings while representing a layer of contemporary approach in a historical context.
Greening is more than just a coefficient
Given the phenomenon of "heat islands," the architects consider placing trees in public space as key to ensuring comfort in overheated city centers. "We were looking for a compromise between the requirements of the valid spatial plan and a modular solution in line with adjustments discussed with the public and the city," add architects Ján Antal and Martin Stára. The final form of the greenery is not yet clearly defined. It depends on whether it will follow the territorial or metropolitan plan, which is why the architects are working with both variants in their visualizations.
An active square that never sleeps
“The square near the station will always be full of movement. Therefore, the proposed space must allow free, all-direction movement through the square with opportunities for short stops, utilizing modular furniture for various occasions – such as exhibitions or food festivals,” explain the architects from studio Perspektiv.
The heart of the entire concept is the grid of concrete "sleepers" that converge towards the station. This grid naturally highlights the forecourt of Masaryk Station and further refers to the adjacent tracks. The edge of the sleeper consists of a steel groove, which can be modularly equipped with various furniture – a bench, panel, light, bike rack, or water feature.
Metro exits, entry to the city
The covered entrances to the metro define the spatial composition of the place. “We consider it important to maintain the clarity of the square, and therefore we designed both entrances as transparent cubes with green roofs,” add architects Ján Antal and Martin Stára. The exit in the northwest corner is complemented by a kiosk, which could potentially enliven an otherwise dull corner.
The architects also envision future possible graphic or artistic processing and the creation of a so-called meeting point, a place for gatherings. The artistic cultivation of the forecourt of the platforms and the square will carry value not only for the residents of Prague but for all visitors to the capital.
Project: 2021
Area: 5,430 m²
Visualization: Willbe Studio
Architect: Studio Perspektiv
Author Team: Ing. arch. Martin Stára, Ing. arch. Ján Antal, Ing. arch. Jakub Herza, Ing. arch. Silvia Snopková
Collaboration: Ing. arch. Sebastian Sticzay
Masaryk Station is somewhat of a forgotten place where the history of our republic was written. Today, it stands before a similar situation as more than a hundred years ago, only in a new context. With the emergence of the Main Station, Masaryk lost its luster and was literally pushed onto a secondary track. The areas around the station have gradually turned into parking lots, and the quality of public space has declined to its current state.
The planned urbanism, including a dominant building by Zaha Hadid Architects, the railway line from the airport, and connections to Florenc, will bring new energy to the area. The transformation will also include the square in front of Masaryk Station, which will be taken care of by the architects from studio Perspektiv. The project's realization is planned for the end of next year.
A square with a railway at its heart
The design by Perspektiv studio consists of a stratification of elements creating a new square - permeable, comfortable, modular, and clear. The surfaces define the spatial composition and clearly divide the zones. In the center of the square, the architects place a block of trees, which is intended to provide shade during waiting for trains in summer months, or serve for quick stops in a busy area. The architects have clearly defined the boundaries of the new square using a grid of prominent blocks of so-called sleepers that respond to the geometry of the buildings while representing a layer of contemporary approach in a historical context.
Greening is more than just a coefficient
Given the phenomenon of "heat islands," the architects consider placing trees in public space as key to ensuring comfort in overheated city centers. "We were looking for a compromise between the requirements of the valid spatial plan and a modular solution in line with adjustments discussed with the public and the city," add architects Ján Antal and Martin Stára. The final form of the greenery is not yet clearly defined. It depends on whether it will follow the territorial or metropolitan plan, which is why the architects are working with both variants in their visualizations.
An active square that never sleeps
“The square near the station will always be full of movement. Therefore, the proposed space must allow free, all-direction movement through the square with opportunities for short stops, utilizing modular furniture for various occasions – such as exhibitions or food festivals,” explain the architects from studio Perspektiv.
The heart of the entire concept is the grid of concrete "sleepers" that converge towards the station. This grid naturally highlights the forecourt of Masaryk Station and further refers to the adjacent tracks. The edge of the sleeper consists of a steel groove, which can be modularly equipped with various furniture – a bench, panel, light, bike rack, or water feature.
Metro exits, entry to the city
The covered entrances to the metro define the spatial composition of the place. “We consider it important to maintain the clarity of the square, and therefore we designed both entrances as transparent cubes with green roofs,” add architects Ján Antal and Martin Stára. The exit in the northwest corner is complemented by a kiosk, which could potentially enliven an otherwise dull corner.
The architects also envision future possible graphic or artistic processing and the creation of a so-called meeting point, a place for gatherings. The artistic cultivation of the forecourt of the platforms and the square will carry value not only for the residents of Prague but for all visitors to the capital.
Project: 2021
Area: 5,430 m²
Visualization: Willbe Studio
Architect: Studio Perspektiv
Author Team: Ing. arch. Martin Stára, Ing. arch. Ján Antal, Ing. arch. Jakub Herza, Ing. arch. Silvia Snopková
Collaboration: Ing. arch. Sebastian Sticzay
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