Revitalization of Jiráskovo Square and the Monastic Garden in Plzeň - competition results

2nd prize - amount 125,000,- 

author: Zábran Nová architekti
Jury evaluation: In the second round of the competition, the concept of the proposal became diluted and did not connect all the important components of urbanism into a quality integrated design. The greatest social activity is concentrated in the area of the former turning point and is essentially excluded from the space in front of the monastery, which is contrary to the demands arising from public collaboration and the jury's recommendations. The individual details of the proposal do not support the context of the overall declared concept (paving slabs dissolving into the lawn, a column in front of the school, a marketplace, a passage in the park). The effort for a visually memorable element of "hilly topography" is undermined by the elements of a functionally inappropriate marketplace and a water surface. The overall processing of the lunette is heterogeneous. A positive shift in the proposal is seen in the processing of the monastery garden, understanding its intimate atmosphere and historical legacy. The spatial concept of the park in the northern part lined with a row of trees without parking is evaluated positively. The placement of the café with related activities is functionally balanced, but is weakened by ground breaks and a debatable passage. The solution for pedestrian paths with a triangular surface and passage is inadequate and deserves to be revised. The transportation solutions in Kladno can be evaluated based on the space in front of the monastery, the conceptual proposal for a parking garage in front of the residential building on Plzenecká Street, and the proposal for the extended Hlavanova Street. A weaker aspect of the proposal is the misunderstanding (underutilization) of the opportunities in the 30 zone (tempo 30). In the 30 zone, it is unnecessary to reserve bike lanes or bike paths for cyclists; they can move freely and safely here, including riding against traffic. For this symbiosis of motor vehicles and cyclists, it is not appropriate (safe) to use angled or perpendicular parking spaces on the side of the counter-direction of cycling. (From the assessment by Ing. arch. Ivan Lejčar, independent transportation expert) 2/2 Perpendicular parking spaces in the inner arc of the lunette (along its entire length) on the southern side of the square are problematic – when exiting the parking space, the driver has very poor visibility. (From the assessment by Ing. Pavla Dyntarová, Department of Transportation Concept of the City of Plzeň Public Property Office) Greenery, water Although it is not clear to what extent the proposal perceives the essence of continuity in the diverse ages of the orchard, it accepts the sequence of the character of the graft with the vegetable garden, where the legacy of work is not in conflict with contemplative quality. We positively evaluate the effort to search for inner content. A complete understanding of the connectivity of the existing biotope and especially the potential biotope (trees, bushes, and lawns) is lacking. Elements improving, changing, or influencing the habitat are missing or used without impact on the sustainability of the biotope. Rainwater is only absorbed. The terrain modifications in the park are incompatible with the function of the trees' root systems. The concept of renewing the tree layer perceives the taxonomic historical continuity (Aesculus) and fashion trends (Tilia Greenspire). The key parameter of the biotope is overlooked. Felling in a single intervention is conceptually and environmentally destabilizing.

---

2nd prize - amount 125,000,- 

author: Ting s.r.o.
Jury evaluation: In the second round of the competition, the main concept of the proposal weakened, i.e., the transverse division of the area as a supporting element for organizing individual spaces and functions, with the exception of the space in front of the monastery. The integration of existing trees into the paving of the square was not convincingly technically solved. Replacing horse chestnuts with plane trees is questionable due to the character of the place. The placement of small functional objects in the monastery garden contributes to its undesirable fragmentation. The proposal for the interior solution of the garden is less clear and coherent than in the first round of the competition. While the proposal correctly defines the area in front of the monastery as the focal point of social activities in the territory, the proposed size of the paved area is proportionally inadequate with respect to the entire square. The pergola at the border between the square and the park and in the axis of Farského Street continues to act as a functional and visual barrier, and the situation is not improved by the subdivision of the pergola into separate objects. The design of the park's arrangement resigns on development beyond the current state. The forecourt in front of the school is evaluated positively. The solution of the turning point takes public demands into account, but does not bring any new qualities. Community garden beds in front of the residential building are purposeless in relation to the nearby monastery garden. Pedestrian movement along the park is nonconforming in relation to the angled parking. The transportation solutions in Kladno can be evaluated as the solution for the space in front of the monastery and the design of the residential zone in front of the school. The proposal for a playground on the roof of the garages in front of the residential building on Plzenecká Street is interesting. 2/2 A weaker aspect is the proposal for one-way cyclist traffic around the square, which will not work in practice, and in the 30 zone and residential area, it is counterproductive. In this context, it would be better to adjust the parking spaces. For the symbiosis of motor vehicles and cyclists, it is not appropriate (safe) to use angled or perpendicular parking spaces on the side of the counter-direction of cycling. (From the assessment by Ing. arch. Ivan Lejčar, independent transportation expert) Greenery, water The functional solution is reflected in the concept and submits to its order. A static solution that minimizes interventions for cleaning and the operational network of communications. The historical character is not utilized and does not assert itself in the new design. The artistic nature of the bed concept draws attention to itself, contrary to the character of the space, opposing historical and operational ties as well as the contemplative nature of the space. Rainwater is externally captured and subsequently used by the irrigation system. This principle is in contradiction with the requirement for sustainability and natural absorption of rainwater. The proposed renewal of the tree layer in a horizon of 10–15 years lacks a specific quantification of phases. The communicated emphasis on population participation can be positively perceived. The taxonomic change and transfer of the avenue to plane trees is a bold choice of species; however, it completely changes the historical expression of the place. Technical measures to improve tree habitats are insufficiently specified regarding their importance in solving the whole.

---

3rd prize - amount 75,000,- 

author: JV PROJEKT VH s.r.o.
Jury evaluation: The shift of the proposal compared to the first round of the competition remained at the stage of cosmetic adjustments. From the jury's comments in the first round of the competition, the proposal incorporated very little and did not eliminate the main conceptual problems. The concept of the proposal is entirely subordinated to absorption and the ineffective use of pumped rainwater to the phenomenon of the confluence of four rivers. The high degree of paved areas is also not consistent, although the space in front of the church is rationally and efficiently arranged as the focal point of the entire square respecting its natural dominance. The confluence area is declared as social, contrary to its fragmentary composition; the organization of the northern part of the park is schematic with ambiguously defined functions. More than doubling the financial limit is not adequately justified, and the proposal cannot be simplified in favor of reducing costs. The transportation solutions in Kladno can be evaluated based on the space in front of the monastery and the understanding of the principle of the 30 zone, including the arrangement of longitudinal parking on both sides of one-way roads. It is clear, simple, permeable, and while maintaining a 4.5-meter traffic lane, allows cyclists to ride against traffic. This is very important for the overall utility value of public space. A debatable aspect is the smaller number of parking spaces (-15). An increase could occur with the overall one-way arrangement of the square or by changing some parking spaces on the outer side of the square to angled or perpendicular. (From the assessment by Ing. arch. Ivan Lejčar, independent transportation expert) Greenery, water The proposal reformats the nature of the existing monastery garden into historical reminiscence, which anticipates use beyond the expectations and results of public participation. The degree of intensity of establishment generates livability beyond local conditions. The proposal restricts the reference 2/2 of the graft to fruit walls and places the reference of human work within the perimeter of the area. The main motif seeks opportunities for increased visitor use. The perception of the biotope and environmental integrity is influenced by the optics of trend technologies for the absorption of rainwater, which only reflect the necessary implementation of the specific needs of the particular place. The effort to expand biodiversity can be positively perceived. The concept of the tree layer works with the individuality of trees and the perception of the difference between renewing the tree line and solitary trees. The proposed taxa respect the changed habitats as well as historical traditions in the area.

More information >