The architects from Plzeň called on the region to announce a competition for the renovation of the spa

Plzeň - A group of forty architects from the Plzeň region has called on the Plzeň Region in an open letter to organize an architectural competition for the adaptation and reconstruction of the former city baths in Plzeň. They disapprove of the region's decision from early this year to directly assign the reconstruction study of the cultural monument and one of the largest buildings in the region for two billion crowns to architect Eva Heyworth. The absence of any competition in selecting the author of the architectural solution, which will be crucial for the future form of the building, and the construction method Design & Build (Design and Build) clearly indicate the primary interest of the region - the speed of construction, the architects stated in the letter available to ČTK. The region according to its leadership acts strictly in accordance with the law.

The region wants to renovate the dilapidated baths by 2026, and has already allocated 100 million crowns this year for the preparation study, the demolition of the boiler house annex, and the preparation of a contractor competition for the renewal, which is supposed to be announced using the Design & Build method by the end of the year. A study of the reconstruction is currently being developed by 12 architects and designers. "The main architect of the project is Eva Heyworth, who is the second most prominent 'lady of architecture' in the Czech Republic after Eva Jiřičná, and her most famous work is the reconstruction of the Municipal House in Prague; she has spent many years in London," stated architect Hynek Gloser, managing director of the Cultural Center of the Plzeň Region, a company wholly owned by the region responsible for the reconstruction.

"This is the opinion of a part of the professional public; not all architects are represented there. But we are proceeding clearly in accordance with the law and the rules that exist," said Governor Rudolf Špoták (Pirates). According to him, this is a professional discussion. The region has found it most effective to use the Design & Build method for this type of reconstruction, he said. The governor respects the opinions of the designers but considers Eva Heyworth to be a very reputable architect who, along with her team, will prepare quality materials for the public procurement. "Moreover, she collaborates with Plzeň’s Jan Soukup," said the governor. Soukup's team designed the renovations of significant landmarks in the region and the reconstruction for the former owner of the baths, which he sold to the region last year for 120 million crowns. The winning contractor for the reconstruction will also choose an architect, Špoták said. The governor expects that the competition will be one of the main topics of the June regional council, which will inform about the progress of the work.

According to the architects, the quality of public buildings and spaces is a fundamental public interest. This must not be sacrificed or overshadowed by the maximum speed of construction, which is to be used as a tool for political marketing, they stated. The intention will attract attention from both the Czech Republic and the world, as the West Bohemian Gallery, which will have a new headquarters at the baths, is renowned as one of the most significant art museums in the Czech Republic.

According to the architects, most significant buildings in Plzeň from the 19th and 20th centuries were preceded by competitions; the baths from 1931 were also created as a result of one, and their absence presents a risk of inappropriate and uneconomical solutions. They respect the region's decision not to build a new gallery U Zvonu in Plzeň, even though its project from the office of Kuba & Pilař, which emerged from a competition in 2009, was among the highest quality and best-prepared proposals for public buildings in the Czech Republic. They support the preservation of the valuable bath building. However, they called on the region to proceed responsibly and with maximum transparency.