Architects are once again proposing to declare the Havířov station a monument

Prague - The Czech Chamber of Architects (ČKA) has again submitted a proposal for the declaration of Havířov railway station as a cultural monument today. Its spokesperson Zuzana Hošková informed about this. The first proposal was submitted by ČKA in February, but it was withdrawn because new information was to be included. The station from the 1960s belongs to Czech Railways, which wants to demolish it and build a new terminal in its place.
     A new study points out, for example, the uniqueness of the Brussels style, the exceptionally valuable mosaic in the station's interior, or the important role of the building in the transport-urban structure of the city of Havířov.
     The Chamber believes that the submission, broadened with new facts, has a great chance of succeeding at the Ministry of Culture. The most compelling reason is reportedly the large mosaic featuring a flying dove from 1963. Its design was created by the leading glass artist Vladimír Kopecký. His works are represented in world galleries and he is a holder of several prestigious awards. It was reportedly created using a unique method of manually split glass, which was specially produced for mosaics in Czech glassworks.
     According to ČKA, the architectural qualities of the building are evidenced by its representative character, the use of noble materials, and the number of artistic details that make it a "shining representative" of the so-called Brussels style.
     "The Chamber is submitting a proposal for the declaration of Havířov railway station as a cultural monument because we believe that this is currently the only way to draw attention to the significance of this building and the importance of protecting even relatively recent historical architectural heritage, which is already an undeniable part of our cities' organism," said ČKA chairman Ivan Plicka. The Ministry had previously assessed a similar proposal, but the station did not become a monument.
     The railway station in Havířov is the work of architect Josef Hrejsemnou and was built between 1964 and 1969. The building is to give way to the construction of a new transport terminal. It is a joint project of the city and Czech Railways (ČD). According to information from the city hall, the railways were supposed to take care of the reconstruction of the station building, while the city was to deal with the adjustment of the area in front of the station. The terminal, costing approximately 200 million crowns, is meant to connect train, bus, and personal transport, with space for bus stops and a large parking lot adjacent to the railway station.
     Czech Railways estimate a potential reconstruction of the station at 300 million crowns. According to the association, the price is inflated and calculated approximately based on the volume of the building. Lucie Chytilová from the association said earlier that a survey of architecture students found that repairs were especially needed for the roof and the glazed front facade, which would reduce the building's energy intensity to one-fifth of its current state. The reconstruction, according to her, would cost between 30 and 100 million crowns.