The best new building in Plzeň since 2014 is the Sladová residential building

Plzeň - The best new building in Plzeň over the past four years is the completion of the Sladová residential building in the Světovar complex by architect Jiří Zábrana's studio. Today, for the fourth time, the Hanuš Zápal Awards were presented in Plzeň, named after the significant West Bohemian architect of the 20th century. The jury composed of experts from outside Plzeň selected from 18 nominated new buildings constructed in Plzeň between 2014 and 2017. They also decided to award two special recognitions.

The jury prize went to the team of Ondřej Janout for the renovation of the Bukovec farmyard and to the studio ov architekti for the design of the headquarters of RenoEnergie. All the nominated buildings are represented until May 27 in an exhibition on the terraces at the English embankment under the Komerční banka.

The main prize was awarded to a residential building that was created in the revitalizing industrial complex of Světovar in Slovany. "Among all the nominated projects, the architects from outside Plzeň unanimously agreed to award the prize to the Sladová residential building, where quality architecture met exemplary urban planning. I was pleased to confirm this building by architect Zábrana for the award," said the mayor of Plzeň, Martin Zrzavecký (ČSSD), who awards the prize.

The jury unanimously agreed on the winning building. "The building itself is, in our opinion, a pure example of effective construction with a thoughtful architectural and development concept and a clear artistic message towards the revitalizing part of the city," said the head of the jury, Libor Monhart. The jury also appreciated that the building was created according to the area's regulations based on a public urban planning competition. "Thus, the ideal scenario for the creation of valuable architecture was exemplary fulfilled," Monhart stated.

The proposal for the renovation of the Bukovec farmyard intrigued the jury with its exceptional contribution to the concept of neighborhood living in a rural environment. The headquarters of RenoEnergie, according to the jury, represents a successful and inspiring example of a conceptual architectural approach to a smaller administrative building within the original rural-style development.

"The jury evaluated residential buildings, extensive university and research centers, administrative and production buildings, family houses, and cultural venues. It did not matter the size of the object, but the quality of the architecture and its context," added Irena Vostracká, director of the Department of Concept and Development of the City of Plzeň. Notable participants in the competition included the New Theater J. K. Tyla, the new transport base of the Plzeň City Transport Company, the NTIS research center at the University of West Bohemia, the Biomedical Center of the Faculty of Medicine, a permanent stage in Chvojkovy lomy park, and the renovation of the area around the theater.

The Hanuš Zápal Award is announced by the mayor for the past four years. The competition aims to identify and assess the highest quality new buildings and present them to the public. To date, the award has been given to the Central Fire Station building, the 6th River complex of the Plzeň Science and Technology Park, and the building of the Faculty of Design and Art Ladislava Sutnara.