Revitalization of the Steinbrener Printing House in Vimperk – competition results

Single-phase narrow architectural design competition.
Organizer: The City of Vimperk
Total prizes and awards: 1,300,000 CZK
Competition period: December 18, 2023 - April 11, 2024
Number of submitted proposals: 6

Regular jury members - dependent
Ing. Jaroslava Martanová, Mayor
Mgr. Zdeněk Kuncl, Deputy Mayor
JUDr. Tomáš Samek, Member of the City Council of Vimperk

Regular jury members - independent
Ing. arch. MgA. Marek Barták
Ing. arch. Lukáš Ehl
Ing. arch. Jakub Straka
Mgr. A. Luboš Zemen

Substitutes of the jury – dependent
Ing. arch. René Dlesk, Ph.D.

Substitutes of the jury - independent
Ing. arch. Marek Marovič

Description: The subject of the design competition was the revitalization of the Steinbrener printing house area in Vimperk into a social-cultural center with multifunctional halls, exhibitions of the printer Johann Steinbrener, a reminder of Czech-German relations, accommodations, facilities, and spaces for community gatherings, etc. The printing house area is located in the historical preservation zone of Vimperk, in immediate proximity to Svobody Square, and consists of three buildings: two-storey urban houses (parc. no. 113, 114) at Steinbrener Street nos. 3 and 4, originally dating back to the 16th century, and the southern wing of the printing house (parc. no. 113 and 112/2), which was built in 1872 and is currently in a state of emergency. In the context of broader relations, it is necessary to address the connection to the adjacent city hall buildings, the area of Steinbrener Street, and the square, as well as pedestrian connectivity with the southern terrace and towards the Volyňka river.

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1st prize
Author: ATELIER 111 architects s.r.o. / Ing.arch. Jiří Weinzettl, Ing.arch. Zuzana Johanidesová, MA, Ing.arch. Barbora Weinzettlová, Ing.arch. Adam Brich
Amount: 450,000 CZK
Jury assessment: The proposal best fulfilled the expectations of the client. It approaches the existing Steinbrener printing house area with maximum respect. It preserves the genius loci, integrates the buildings on the southern side, and brings a new layer - a contemporary object - clearly materially distinct, yet appropriately scaled to the surrounding construction. This object elevates the entire composition of the area. The entire complex - buildings and courtyard - offers sufficient flexibility, allowing multiple events to be held simultaneously in various parts of the area. The generous treatment is also apparent from the courtyard, which is divided into two levels - one dedicated to the former printing house and the other to the new object that stands opposite the town hall, thus giving it the role of a new representative space. The new object offers a fully-fledged, exclusive, and representative space, allowing for various social uses and thus holds significant importance within the complex. The new object is designed with a multifunctional hall, but its functional content can fully adapt to future needs not only of this complex but also of the city’s needs. It is expressed with contemporary architectural means. The proposed solution does not burden the existing former printing house with demanding reconstruction. Once restored, the former factory will allow independent, primarily seasonal use of individual spaces with variable exhibitions according to the client's needs. The buildings may have independent operations. The proposed solution also allows for potential phased construction. It is realizable at reasonable costs. From a heritage care perspective, the proposal is completely acceptable.

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2nd prize
Author: original regional architecture s.r.o. / Ing.arch. Jan Hora, Ing.arch. Jan Veisser
Collaboration: Ing.arch. Maroš Drobňák, Ing.arch. Pavla Večeřová, Ing.arch. Klarisa Ach-Hübner
Amount: 330,000 CZK
Jury assessment: The proposal is based on the contrast between old and new. It preserves the old layer of original structures that define the space and incorporates a new wooden structure into it. Its advantage is the method of realization through prefabrication and the use of natural renewable materials. The gradation of roofs evokes the original volumetric solution and treatment. The courtyard space is burdened with a complex system of crossing ramps, which formally divide the space and act as a barrier, hindering flexibility in the use of the space. The café does not have sufficient connection to the courtyard area. It does not adequately respect the original parcel layout.

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3rd prize
Author: Ing. arch. Patrik Hoffman
Collaboration: Ing. arch. Jan Havel, Ing. arch. Lucie Vogelová, Ing. arch. Jan Vagaday, Ing. arch. Andrea Bušová, Bc. Barbora Šimůnková, MgA. Dagmar Šubrtová, Petr Knobloch
Amount: 220,000 CZK
Jury assessment: It brings a readable and clear layer into the historical environment. The proposal has the ambition to become an icon of the city. It offers an extension with a small house that was historically associated with the factory (house no. 29), beyond the scope of the assignment. The design includes a comprehensive solution, including a very well and thoroughly elaborated layout and operational design. The café has good connectivity to both the terrace and the courtyard. It preserves the envelope of the building and integrates new load-bearing structures inside.

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Expense reimbursement I.
Author: PROJEKTIL ARCHITEKTI s.r.o. / Ing. arch. Petr Lešek, Ing. arch. Adam Halíř, Ing. Ondřej Hofmeister, Ing. arch. Rudolf Süsser, MgA. Ondřej Doležal
Collaboration: Ing.arch. Klára Concepcion, Ing.arch. Jan Nerud
Amount: 100,000 CZK
Jury assessment: The proposal is characterized by an effort to create a strong concept. It introduces modern geometry into the layout and situation. It strives for an abstract approach and works with contrast to the surroundings. As the only one, it placed great emphasis on the exhibition and curatorial approach. However, the chosen concept appears inappropriate for the historical environment and does not reflect the genius loci. A drawback is also the unresolved layout, including the awkward use of the space behind the town hall.

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Expense reimbursement II.
Author: svobodová blaha architekti s.r.o. + Petra Kunarová / Ing. arch. MgA. Ondřej Blaha, Ing. et Ing. arch. Petra Kunarová, MgA. Anna Svobodová
Collaboration: Michaela Doubravová
Amount: 100,000 CZK
Jury assessment: The proposal is characterized by a sensitive approach, material recycling, and humility towards the existing complex. It creates variable and diverse architectural nooks in the public space. However, the effort to achieve intimacy in the courtyard fundamentally misses the goals of the assignment.

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Expense reimbursement III.
Author: 2021 s.r.o. / Ing. arch. Peter Lényi, PhD., Ing. Ing. arch. Ondrej Marko, Ing.arch. Jana Smolíková, Ing. arch. Lukáš Lečko, Ing.arch. Nikola Chriašteľová, Ing. arch. Katarína Marušicová, Ing. arch. Paulína Závacká
Amount: 100,000 CZK
Jury assessment: The declared effort for flexibility and openness is perceived positively by the jury; however, the submitted concept was assessed as less convincing. The removal of a substantial part of the former printing house was also viewed by the jury as a problematic solution.