Praha 2 announces a conceptual competition for the design for the renovation of Karlovo náměstí

The Council of Prague 2 announced a Public Ideational Urban Planning and Architectural Competition for the design changes of Karlovo Square at its meeting on June 24, 2008. The aim is to gather ideas for the transformation of one of the largest squares in Europe, the foundations of which were laid in the 14th century during the reign of Emperor Charles IV. The competition submissions will also serve as a basis for discussion about possible approaches to the modifications of this unique public space.

Participants in the competition are to develop comprehensive urban planning and architectural designs for Karlovo Square so that the relaxation and cultural potential of this place is utilized, and its modifications along with the revitalization of greenery will enliven the entire area for the benefit of residents and visitors to the capital city.
A sensitive approach to the location is required, which is situated within the Prague Monument Reserve protected by UNESCO and declared a cultural monument by the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic.
The proposal should respectfully address the significance of this unique space and its historical development regarding the idea of optimal use and possible modifications of Karlovo Square.
The complexity of such a task is evidenced by the course of the previous competition in the early 1990s, where only the first stage of rehabilitation in the northern part adjacent to the New Town Hall was realized from the winning proposal by architects Magdalena Dandová and Jaromír Kosnar.
Participants in the competition will have a number of new materials available as part of the competition documents, such as an updated dendrological survey or a newly processed historical survey of the square. Therefore, at the end of the year, the public can look forward to an exhibition and presentation of new ideas and perspectives from architects and urban planners on the rehabilitation of one of the most significant public spaces in our capital. All submitted competition proposals will be displayed.

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Public Anonymous Ideational One-Stage Urban Planning and Architectural Competition

Organizer
Municipality of Prague 2

Competition Secretary:
Ing. Sylvie Hájková
Municipality of Prague 2
Department of Urban Development
Náměstí Míru 20, Prague 2
tel.: 236 044 144
e-mail: hajkovas@p2.mepnet.cz

Subject of the Competition
The subject of the competition is to develop a comprehensive urban planning and architectural proposal for Karlovo Square and its immediate surroundings as a compositionally significant space of the city, considering the cultural-historical context and the uniqueness of the location within the Prague Monument Reserve. Karlovo Square park was declared a cultural monument by the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic on March 6, 1998.

Jury
Regular Members:

• Ing. arch. Václav Vondrášek, Municipality of Prague 2 – representative of the mayor
• Ing. Jiří Paluska, Municipality of Prague 2 – representative of the mayor
• Mgr. Jan Kněžínek – City Hall of Prague, Director of the Department of Culture, Heritage Care and Tourism
• JUDr. PhDr. Jiří Plos (Czech Association of Architects)
• Ing. arch. Petr Malinský
• Ing. arch. Jan Jehlík
• Ing. arch. Martina Bártová

Substitutes:

• PhDr. Eva Paulová, Municipality of Prague 2 – representative of the mayor
• RNDr. Radim Perlín – councilor of Municipality of Prague 2
• Doc. Ing. Jaroslav Horký, CSc
• Ing. arch. Miroslav Cikán

Estimated Prizes and Rewards Total: 1,450,000 CZK

Dates

• Date of announcement of the competition: June 24, 2008
• Deadline for submitting questions: July 31, 2008
• Deadline for answering questions: August 15, 2008
• Date of submission of competition proposals: October 20, 2008 by 4 PM
• Date of the jury's evaluation meeting: November 2008
• Date of approval of the competition's regularity by the Czech Association of Architects: June 20, 2008

More information and competition conditions: www.praha2.cz