Prague will not continue the preparation of the library according to Kaplický

Prague - The leadership of the capital city will not continue the preparation for the potential construction of a library building according to the design by architect Jan Kaplický. The reason is the change in the conditions under which the construction would currently take place. This was announced today by Prague councilor Hana Třeštíková (Prague Sobě) to ČTK. The previous city leadership revived the idea of building the so-called blob last June and approved the development of a feasibility study. The city will not continue with its preparation. With the project, Kaplický won the competition for the design of the new National Library (NK) in 2007.

"From our perspective, it is unrealistic for Kaplický's library to be built under the current circumstances. Unfortunately, after the death of its author and after such a long time since the announcement of the competition," Třeštíková stated.

The city leadership, during the previous electoral term under former mayor Adriana Krnáčová (ANO), approved last October the development of a feasibility study for the construction. According to Třeštíková, the current leadership of Prague is likely to cancel its preparation. The work, according to her, has not yet begun. "So we have time to discuss it with fellow councilors and rather cancel the study," the councilor said.

The feasibility study was to address, among other things, the form of the city's involvement in the construction, determine the utility of the building, the costs of construction and operation, and the impact on tourism and Prague's standing within UNESCO. It was also to assess the environmental impact and set a timeline for preparation and construction. The idea of building the blob was advocated, among others, by former councilor and widow of the architect Eliška Fuchsová Kaplická (ANO).

Architect Jan Kaplický won with the design for the new National Library (NK) in 2007. The then director of the NK, Vlastimil Ježek, wanted the new building to address the institution's lack of space. The competition, approved by the International Union of Architects, ended up in court due to changes in the rules during its course.

The construction was opposed by then-President Václav Klaus and the city leadership controlled by the ODS, headed by former mayor Pavel Bém. Ultimately, the project was abandoned. Subsequently, some Prague politicians sought other suitable plots for construction, including Stodůlky, Strahov, or Pankrác. Before the elections in 2009, a party named Blob was even formed with the goal of promoting the construction.