The Peter Parler Award was given to the architects for modifications in Poděbrady

Prague - The Peter Parler Award, in which architects find new forms of public spaces in Czech cities, has been awarded for the year 2009 to Bronislav Stratil and Jan Roháč. The jury recognized them for their design of the space in front of the train station in Poděbrady. This and other awards given within the competition will be presented on Wednesday, September 23, in the representative offices of the Prague mayor, stated Helena Ciprysová from the organizing Society of Peter Parler today.
    The main prize is associated with a reward of 200,000 crowns. The architectural competition named after the famous medieval builder is held in two rounds and is now in its seventh year. In the first round, cities and municipalities submit proposals for the modification of their public spaces and buildings to the selection process. From this, the competition assignments arise, which become the subject of the architectural competition in the second round. It is then up to the municipalities whether they actually realize the winning designs.
    This year, 11 cities responded to the call for participation with 13 proposals for the modification of spaces and buildings. The organization is reaching out to more cities and municipalities, this year it was 410, the highest number so far. On the contrary, fewer cities responded to the call, with about 30 in previous years.
    Eight cities were selected for the competition: Most, Hlučín, Jihlava, Písek, Klecany, Poděbrady, Štramberk, and Štětí, although the latter ultimately withdrew their participation. 34 architects requested the materials. A total of 12 proposals were submitted, including three for Most and Poděbrady, two for Klecany and Štramberk, and one proposal each for Písek and Jihlava. Hlučín did not receive any proposals.
    The design of the space in front of the train station in Poděbrady by Stratil and Roháč is, according to the jury, a balanced work on many levels - from rational solutions to energizing the intention of the original urban concept to an attractive design of the bus station. Experts also appreciated the design of the underpass as a fully-fledged part of the urban landscape.
The Hochtief CZ - Space for Life award was won by the proposal for the modification of Velká mostecká stávky square in Most by authors Ing. Martin Truhlář, Ing. Lenka Černochová, and Ing. Irena Truhlářová.
The Ministry of Regional Development Award - for contributions to urban development was given to the architectural study on the revitalization of Jaroňkova saloon in Štramberk by authors Ing. arch. Kamil Mrva and Ing. arch. Martin Rosa.
    On the day of the award ceremony, all assessed architectural studies will be displayed in a supporting exhibition. The winning studies can be viewed at www.cenapp.cz.
    According to the organizers, the main benefit of the competition is the fact that even smaller cities can obtain architectural and urban studies, for which they would not have the resources to commission themselves. The competition helps local levels to reflect on public space and the role of architecture. Municipalities hold public debates over the proposals.

> More information about this year's Peter Parler Award