Prague intends to build a Ray fish on Štvanice designed by architect Kaplický

Prague - Prague intends to build a new concert hall on Štvanice Island. It could feature the so-called Ray from architect Jan Kaplický. The building could be completed by 2022 and construction would cost up to two billion crowns. This was stated today by councilor Jan Wolf (KDU-ČSL/Trojkoalice) to ČTK. The Ray was originally supposed to be located in České Budějovice, but in 2014, the then city leadership halted the preparation of the construction. ČTK is seeking a statement from the widow of the architect and Prague representative Eliška Kaplicky Fuchsová (ANO).

"There is a demand for a new concert hall from the city, and we currently have available funds for investments in culture. After 25 years, we would like to start building the second public building. And given that the Ray was not built in České Budějovice, I would like to have it in Prague," said Wolf. He had in mind the National Technical Library in Prague 6 as the first public building.

According to Wolf, the reason for the planned construction is the long-term absence of a modern concert building in Prague, and Prague deserves to have a building by a world-renowned architect. "My personal wish is for the Ray to stand on Štvanice. After the demolition of the stadium by the previous leadership of Prague, a plot belonging to the city has become available here," Wolf said.

However, whether it would stand on Štvanice is uncertain; according to the councilor, the location of the new concert hall near the metro station C Vltavská is also in play. The issue of the island being in a flood zone, according to Wolf, would not be a problem. The building would be on pillars, and the lower floors would have garages that would be cleared during high water, with cars returning after the flood.

Construction costs are estimated at 1.5 to two billion crowns. The construction could potentially take place between 2018 and 2022. "There are six years until the possible opening; that is a realistic timeframe for the building to come into existence," Wolf said.

The planned building in České Budějovice earned the nickname Ray due to its shape and color. The completed study is Kaplický's most developed work in the country. The proposed structure has a triangular floor plan and occupies an area of nearly 1.5 hectares. The center is expected to have two concert halls for 1,000 and 400 listeners.

According to Kaplický's design, the National Library was to be built in Letná, Prague. The construction ultimately fell through. Initially, the then mayor Pavel Bém (ODS) supported the project, but he eventually changed his mind and publicly protested against the building alongside then-President Václav Klaus.