LEADEN DUSHAN 2015: Tereza Kupková

Decompression Boundary

Historical Core of Cheb

studio: Redčenkov - Danda
previously attended studios: ATVZ TU Eindhoven-Curruli, ATSS Hradečný, ATBP Koucký, ATZBP Koucký, ATOS Koucký, ATBS Zavřel
completed ZAN: Brožová - Šrámek

Project — The edge of the historical core of Cheb is unclear, and its remnants are deteriorating. My proposal is a clear boundary that encloses it and thus creates decompression between historical and modern Cheb. I propose this boundary as a permeable wall on both sides, which is not a barrier, but a symbolic edge that enriches the public space.

It brings closeness and order to the city. At the same time, it creates a continuous path around the entire core. Along the path, its character changes according to the identity of the place it passes through - for example, it completes the seating area of the public amphitheater, transforms into a city arcade, or with its beveled openings, denies the view of people towards the church tower.

This boundary allows me to define gates into the city and thus concentrate energy into its center.


Jury's Evaluation — Years ago, I spent a night at the bottom of the city wall moat in Cheb during competition preparation. Probably because of that, the task of writing a serious and informed evaluation of the winning project fell to me. When the jury split into two irreconcilable opinion camps in the finals, my colleague Markéta Zdebská and I defended the new wall of Cheb. That's probably the second reason.
The repeated objection from the opposing side was that we should praise the house. Not at all. That relative minor detail can be a much greater benefit for the residents of the city and the city itself than the best building. Further attacks from opponents bombarded processing details. Glass railing? Columns like those under Nuselský viaduct? For heaven's sake, why? Because it is not important. There was agreement that the proposal should focus solely on the ribbon of the city wall circuit and not scatter awkward masses into the inner city. But those are all trivialities. An inseparable part of choosing the best. The idea of confirming the footprint of the historical core with a walking hoop might not be entirely new. The principle of inserting small and archetypally purified elements into the existing structure with the most varied character and atmosphere might also be a proven recipe. Here, however, everything came together incredibly well. It was confirmed that the edge of the core (in general) has immense potential. I will keep Tereza's imaginary illustrations in my mind for a long time; the name Kupka has a new dignified bearer. This is simply something worth going back to Cheb for and walking around it again. And to replace memories of dreamlike images with a real experience.