The National Prize for Architecture this year was awarded to the Štvanická Bridge in Prague

Prague – This year, the National Prize for Architecture was awarded to Štvanická Bridge in Prague, created by the authors Petr Tej, Marek Blank, Jan Mourk, Aleš Hvízdal, and Jan Hendrych. The awards were presented today in Prague at the 31st annual competition by representatives of the Architects' Association. The Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Vítězslava Rothbauerová. A total of 207 projects competed for the main prize, Grand Prix Architectů – National Prize for Architecture, with the jury recognizing projects in several categories.

Among new constructions, 14 projects were nominated, with the first place awarded to the extension of the elementary and kindergarten school in Studenec in Semily. The jury selected Park of History Aš in Cheb area as the best in landscape architecture and garden design. The Reconstruction category was won by the project Conversion of the grain silo at the Automatic Mills in Pardubice, out of 17 nominated projects, while the title of Best Family House went to a project named Stodola in Čilá near Rokycany.

In the Urbanism category, one project was nominated, namely the reconstruction of the market Pod kaštany in Zlín. In the Architectural Design, Small Architecture, and Artistic Works in Architecture categories, the jury rated the St. Wenceslas grid at the entrance to the St. Bartholomew's Church in Kolín as the best among seven projects. In the Interior category, the first place was awarded to the concert and multifunctional hall of the Císařské lázně in Karlovy Vary, with two projects nominated. The most eco-friendly building became the Park Zdeňka Kopala in Litomyšl. The full list of all 50 projects that made it to the finals is available on the Architects' Association website.

The jury was composed, as in previous years, of five members, one of whom could be from the Czech Republic. The winner was selected by the American-Israeli chair of the jury Rafi Segal, Danish member Anne Beim, Finnish member Pia Kuusiniemi, Martin Jančok from Slovakia, and representative of local architects Michal Gabaš.

The Architects' Association is the direct successor of the Association of Architects, which was founded in 1921. In 1989 it transformed from the Union of Architects and from 1990 to 1993 participated in the establishment of the professional organization of the Czech Chamber of Architects. In 1948, the association was a founding member of the International Union of Architects. The association aims to promote Czech architecture to both professional and lay audiences in the Czech Republic and abroad.