The Building of the Year for the Liberec Region 2023 is the reconstructed Liebieg Palace in Liberec

Turnov - The main prize of Karel Hubáček in the Building of the Year competition in the Liberec Region 2023 was today awarded to the reconstruction of the Liebieg Palace in Liberec. The construction, costing more than a quarter of a billion crowns, was financed by the city of Liberec with the support of European funds, and the building will serve as a community center. The jury particularly appreciated the approach to the restoration of the historic building, which preserved and supplemented the original elements of the structure, said Filip Trdla, spokesperson for the Liberec Region, to ČTK today.

The Building of the Year competition in the Liberec Region was held for the nineteenth time, and since 2019, the competition has borne the name of the author of the Ještěd hotel and transmitter, architect Karel Hubáček. This year, the jury and the public selected from 22 completed buildings and also 12 student projects. The restorations were strongly represented, and the jury was particularly impressed by three that made it to the shortlist – the Svijany Beer Spa, the Huť Marie, and the winner of not only this category but also the main Karel Hubáček Prize - the reconstruction of the Liebieg Palace.

The reconstruction of the former glassworks Huť Marie in Josefův Důl and its conversion into a place for meeting and relaxation received the governor's award this year. "What interested me most about this project is that this is actually the first major building in Josefův Důl where a private investor is putting their money into the future development of the entire village. I think this will attract other investors to Josefův Důl and change the nature and character of this beautiful mountain village, whose potential has not yet been utilized," said Governor Martin Půta (Mayors for the Liberec Region).

The Ministry of Industry and Trade awarded the construction of Truhlářství TANPA, while the jury assessed the new extension of the Montessori kindergarten in Jablonec nad Nisou in the category of new buildings. The jurors praised the quality architectural solution of the kindergarten's extension and the creation of an atypical and stimulating space for children's activities. In the category focused on landscape and public space, the Heřmanice water reservoir won, where the jury appreciated the quality of execution and the creation of a place for relaxation for residents and tourists.

The jury also awarded two honorable mentions - one to the Svijany Beer Spa for the sensitive integration of the historical character of the building and new usage, and the other was awarded to the modernization of part of the premises of the T. G. Masaryk Elementary School in Lomnice nad Popelkou for its interesting architectural solution. In the category of student projects, Martina Kocurišinová won with a proposal for the reconstruction and modern extension of the Forest Spa in Liberec. Among the public, the Automoto Museum in Lučany nad Nisou, developed by a private investor from a former glassworks, won, and from the student projects, the hotel room design by Adam Šikýra triumphed.