The Building of the Year in the Pardubice Region is the Gočár Gallery or the Memorial Zámeček

Pardubice - The Building of the Year in the Pardubice Region is the Gočár Gallery, the Memorial Zámeček, or the apartment building on Devotyho Street in Pardubice. The competition has been held since 2004 and is announced by the Pardubice regional authority every two years. This year, 32 buildings received nominations from the jury, the highest number in the history of the competition.

"This year, 32 completed and approved buildings from the last two years up to the end of June 2023 were nominated. This was a record number; for example, in the previous year, there were 18 buildings. This made the jury's work even more challenging, especially when we saw firsthand how the level of construction, design, and architecture in our area is significantly improving," said Deputy Governor Roman Línek (Coalition for Pardubice Region/KDU-ČSL).

This year, representatives from four buildings received awards regardless of their type, and seven awards received honorable mentions. The jury recognized the efforts in architecture and the care for cultural monuments in the case of the Gočár Gallery in Pardubice. It is located in a former mill, and the vertical structure is a dominant feature of the entire complex. It was a regional investment.

Another awarded project was the Memorial Zámeček, modernized by the city of Pardubice. It has been open since the year before last. The national cultural monument commemorates the victims of the Heydrich terror. The jury appreciated that the architecturally rational structure is hidden below the level of the surrounding terrain. "It is an example of a concept that supports the restoration of the natural historical environment with the memorial as its focal point while minimizing the designed structure," stated the vice-chairman of the jury, Radim Loukota.

The jury also liked the footbridge in Litomyšl in the Svitavy region. The city completed its construction last year; it crosses road I/35 and provides barrier-free linkage between two parts of the town, offering views of the Loučná River. It consists of a steel structure and exposed concrete. The original footbridge from 1977 was demolished by the city.

A new corner was created by the apartment building on Devotyho Street in Pardubice. The jury stated that it is a sensitive and architecturally successful solution to an urban corner gap.

The public award went to the special school Svítání in Pardubice, which renovated the building on Klášterní Street. This year, the jury also announced a special award for the best modification of public space. It was awarded for the revitalization of the area of the former barracks in Vysoké Mýto in the Orlickoústecko region.

"It is a project that is not only beautiful to look at but also very functional. We would like to maintain this jury award in the coming years as it can contribute to the better appearance of public places in our cities and municipalities," said Línek.