In Sokolov, an architecturally unique secondary school is rising

Photo: www.isste.cz

Sokolov - The architecturally unique building of the new Integrated Secondary School of Technical and Economic Studies is being gradually completed by the Karlovy Vary Region in Sokolov. The secondary school, which is set to open at the end of August, will offer an unusually designed interior, but mainly modern classrooms that can adapt to current labor market demands, said governor Josef Novotný (ČSSD) today during a construction inspection day.
    Next to the reconstructed original school buildings, a new facility has risen. The biggest surprise is hidden inside. The interior consists of polygons that create cascading views to the glass roof. Architect Roman Koutný also designed the strikingly colorful furnishings of the individual rooms. "This is a completely unique building in the Czech Republic that will attract attention. We hope it will also attract new candidates for study," said the school's director, Pavel Janus.
    The construction, costing 380 million crowns, will allow all of the school's facilities, including fields that are currently in Královské Poříčí, to move to one campus. "We want it to be open to the public as well. The main building will feature a two-story library, and a garden will be created in front of the school," Janus added.
    Upon completion, the school will have an entrance from the opposite side than before, namely from the waterfront of the Lobezský stream. This will also change the traffic situation in the town.
    Although the Sokolov secondary school, like other schools not only in the Karlovy Vary Region, has struggled in recent years with a decline in interest in technical fields, both the region and the school management believe that interest will return. "The school will be prepared to adapt to the needs of employers. If an investor comes to the region with a request for a specific field, the school will be able to offer it," said Governor Novotný.
    The school will be able to provide facilities for up to 1100 students. In addition to a classical secondary school, it also offers further education, retraining courses, and has been attempting to open a branch of the Faculty of Engineering in Plzeň for several years.