The House of the Year 2005 in Ostrava is the new building of MERKO CZ

Ostrava - The title House of the Year 2005 in Ostrava was awarded to the joint-stock company MERKO CZ for the reconstruction of its own headquarters and manufacturing base in Ostrava-Hrabová, in competition with 11 submitted projects. According to the architectural design by Aleš Student, it was built for 90 million crowns by the companies Moravské montáže and Restav. Marie Václavková from the press department of the Ostrava magistrate told ČTK.
"The jury selected the winner mainly for the comprehensive approach to the revitalization of the industrial area with old ecological burdens and as an example of the use of European Union funds. The aspect of employment is also beneficial for the city's life," said Václavková. The family company MERKO CZ, which was founded in 1991 and specializes in the construction of concrete plants, started with 12 employees. Today, it employs 145 people, said board member Marcela Koudelová to ČTK.
The second place in the competition was awarded to a row family house in Ostrava-Vítkovice. According to Václavková, this is a very successful adaptation of a hundred-year-old building for the needs of housing at the level of the 21st century.
Honorary mentions were awarded to the Ostrava Museum, the City Library of Ostrava in Moravian Ostrava, and the family house of Ms. Alexandra and Mr. David Fiedler in Ostrava-Muglinov.
Last year, the title House of the Year 2004 was awarded to the newly built administrative and operational building of the joint-stock company Liftcomp. The House of the Year competition in Ostrava has been held since 1994. In previous years, successes have included the Puppet Theater in downtown Ostrava, the Ice Hockey Stadium in Poruba, the Tax Office in Hrabůvka, the building of the Czechoslovak Commercial Bank, and the Antonín Dvořák Theater.
The ceremonial announcement of the House of the Year 2005 competition will take place at the Atom hotel in Ostrava on June 8 at 1:00 PM.

> overview of all award winners