Results of the competition for the design of the "Water House"

The subject of the competition was the preparation of an architectural proposal for the visitor center "Water House" in the cadastral area of Hulice. The Water House will be a modern visitor center located near the dam of the Želivka reservoir (Švihov) and the water treatment plant Želivka, intended for the public. The building will consist of three main structures: the main visitor center building including the indoor exhibition, an outdoor exhibition, and greenery, as well as parking. The competition proposals were to respect the economic possibilities of the organizer not only in the expected amount of investment costs of approximately 60 million CZK but also in reasonable future operating costs.

Jury evaluation: The proposal creates a clear symbiosis between the landscape habitat and the Water House building. The simple concept of the building, where the roof stands out hovering over the landscape and minimally impacts its context. The outdoor landscape design forms the forecourt leading into the Water House. The spatial layout is conditioned by the connection to the exterior. The two-story layout is connected by an aquarium. The open spaces of the house are prepared to develop the theme of water. The submitted proposal is architecturally high quality. Based on the alert from the reviewer, dependent jury members expressed doubts about meeting the requirement of low energy consumption of the house, which independent jury members refuted by stating that the building is half buried in the terrain and shaded by the roof overhang.

Jury evaluation: The jury appreciated the very cultivated architectural solution and experiential approach of the exhibition, which is also aimed at the winter season. Doubts arise regarding the large extent of land coverage and the geometric design of the water surface partially above the level of the surrounding terrain.

Jury evaluation: The jury appreciated the very cultivated architectural solution and good integration of the building into the terrain. Based on the assessment of the intention by expert Ing. Slanec during the second round of evaluation, who stated the non-functionality and extraordinary energy intensity of the proposed solution for water cleaning and circulation technology, dependent members raised objections about the high operating costs that would arise from intensive pumping and cleaning of the water. Dependent jury members also raised objections about the absence of a part of the exhibition focused on the biotope, which was a condition of the competition. These objections were acknowledged by independent jury members with the understanding that there is room for their inclusion.

Jury evaluation: This is a cultivated proposal that works with proven expressive means. Doubts arise regarding the fully glazed facade without proposed shading and working with the terrain. 

Jury evaluation: The proposal was awarded for its use of water both in the exterior and in the interior. The three-story volume of the building appears questionable concerning the required investment costs.

> Protocol on the course of the competition