The Plzeň Region approved the construction of a gallery, but there will be no EU money

Kuba Pilař architects, winning competition design

Plzeň - Today, the representatives of the Plzeň region approved the construction of a new building for the West Bohemian Gallery, the costs of which are currently estimated at half a billion crowns. The modern facility built according to the winning design from the architectural competition should be completed before 2015. The region will now seek funds for the construction, which will be one of its largest investments. If it fails to obtain a grant from the European Union, construction will not proceed, said the deputy of the governor, Ivo Grüner (ČSSD), to the representatives.
    The regional representation began discussing the construction of a new building for the valuable collections owned by the gallery in 2005. The idea of the previous leadership of the region from ODS has also been taken over by the currently ruling ČSSD. However, the necessity of building a new facility for the gallery has been discussed since its establishment in 1954.
    "We will definitely apply for a ROP grant in the call that will be announced from February 14 to May 15; we would like to obtain at least 180 to 200 million crowns from it," said Grüner. He hopes that Plzeň will also financially contribute to the construction, as the new gallery will serve a significant number of Plzeň residents. Moreover, the city is competing for the title of European Capital of Culture in 2015. The new gallery, along with a planned new theater construction in the city, would be a significant contribution to this effort. "If possible, we will try to achieve state grants for the gallery's construction as well since it will undoubtedly be a project of nationwide significance," added Grüner.
    In the architectural competition for the new gallery building, the expert jury evaluated 88 proposals. "It has been possible to find a modern, honest, and good building for the gallery," said Jiří Kotalík, the vice-chairman of the jury, in December. The facility, which will be located in an attractive spot at U Zvonu in the center of Plzeň, has the form of a solid, shapely, and simple structure. Inside the transparent shell, there will be four stacked prisms serving different functions. The project anticipates natural daylight entering the gallery from above and offers multifunctional grand spaces for exhibitions.
    According to the councilor for culture, Václav Koubík, the annual operating costs of the facility are expected to reach about three million crowns. The director of the West Bohemian Gallery, Roman Musil, is satisfied with the winning construction proposal. According to him, it is very well spatially resolved, providing excellent conditions for both permanent exhibitions and temporary shows from the gallery's valuable collections. It will also provide good facilities - among other things, ample space for a central depository, studios for educational and outreach activities, a restoration studio, a café, and other spaces.