The buildings of the Plzeň region are the cinema in Planá and a set of apartments in Plzeň

Plzeň - The former cinema in Planá in Tachov, converted into a multifunctional cultural facility KINONEKINO, and the complex of residential and terraced houses Na Dražkách in Plzeň-Újezd have been named Buildings of the Year for the Plzeň Region 2017. In the 15th edition, 19 buildings competed in six categories, three more than last year. This was reported by the spokesperson for the competition, Hana Kulawiaková. The new funeral hall in Planá received the award from the seven-member expert jury, while the people chose the Winter Stadium in Plzeň as the building of the century.

KINONEKINO in Planá received the title for a very successful reconstruction that infused new energy into the original cinema from the 1950s. "The jury appreciated the unconventional yet high-quality reconstruction and the exceptional approach of the investor, the city of Planá, during the implementation," Kulawiaková stated. The residential complex Na Dražkách respects the original urban context of the part of the city, offering a peaceful environment for residents and tasteful contemporary architecture. "We value private investors who participate in the restoration and development of important functions in the city of Plzeň," said Martin Baxa, the deputy mayor.

The jury awarded honorable mentions to the residential building Světovar in Plzeň, which appears flawless not only from the outside but also in the design of internal apartment layouts and common areas, and to the Chapel of Our Lady of Sorrows in Vatětice in Šumava. The chapel impressed the jurors with its humility and integrity. It also received the Public Award from online voting. "We are pleased that people also appreciated the endeavor of a private investor and its spiritual aspect," said Ota Rubner, the chairman of the board of the Plzeň District Chamber of Commerce. Out of more than 2000 votes, nearly 500 belonged to the Šumava chapel, which was built on the site of a demolished chapel from the early 18th century and inspired by its preserved images, said Wolfgang Kreiner from the company KREINER, a partner in the competition.

The Governor's Award went to a successful reconstruction of an Art Nouveau house in Nečtiny in the Plzeň region from 1912, which sensitively preserved the original building and architectural elements. The mayor of Plzeň, Martin Zrzavecký, praised the unobtrusive reconstruction of the house with the tavern and restaurant Lékárna. "The beautifully restored house on Republic Square is an integral part of the city's history and a cultural monument. It is also a reminder of the past, as the most well-known pharmacy was located there in the 18th and 19th centuries," he stated. The warehouse for installation materials of the Plzeň company ELFETEX received the award from the district chamber of commerce for its elegant composition, confidently combining the showroom with sales and the firm's facilities. The Association of Builders appreciated the hall for the production of electrical switchboards EUROSOFT - Control in Plzeň for its harmonious integration of manufacturing and office areas as well as its refined architectural expression.