Architectural competition

The town’s
aim is to transform J. A. Alis Square into a dignified centre for Březové Hory and a pleasant place for the residents of Příbram, which will fulfil all the functions and meet all the requirements expected of a public space of such historical significance.

For these reasons, it was decided that its design would be determined by an architectural competition. The competing teams will be tasked with proposing how to redevelop the entire area so that it becomes a more pleasant place where people have a reason to stop and linger, rather than simply passing through in a hurry.
Unlike a tender for a contractor to carry out the design work, an architectural competition allows the best architectural practices to be invited to tackle this space, thereby enabling a choice from a wide range of proposals.

Březové Hory
Perception Map Through a questionnaire survey and a perception map, the town of Příbram has enabled residents to get involved in the preparation of the architectural competition. Architects and their teams will thus have the opportunity to understand the perspectives of both residents and users of this space.

Analysis of users’ needs at J. A. Alis Square – the document formed part of the competition terms and conditions 

The architectural competition ran from March to September, and six interesting proposals were submitted for the revitalisation of J. A. Alis Square. A jury met to consider all the proposals and, following extensive discussion, unanimously identified the proposal it recommended to the city council as the winning entry. On 17 October 2022, the councillors decided on the selection in accordance with the jury’s recommendation. As part of the architectural competition, prizes and awards totalling 550,000 CZK were presented to the competition entries based on their quality and creativity.

• The winning design in the architectural competition is entry no. 6, submitted by Monom Works, s. r. o., which has been awarded first prize of 250,000 CZK. The jury commended this proposal for its refined vision and presentation of the square’s future form, noting that the design offers a clear vision for the organisation of the space in question, whilst respecting and referencing the site’s history.
• The jury awarded second place to entry no. 3, submitted by Eliška Málková, Matěj Čunát, Marie Štefanová and Martin Hajný, who received a prize of 150,000 CZK.
• Third place and a prize of 100,000 CZK went to design No. 2, submitted by Atelier Horký, s. r. o.
• Honoraria (for preliminary sketches) within the architectural competition were awarded, in equal amounts of 25,000 CZK, to design no. 1 by Karnet Architekt, s. r. o., and to design no. 4 by Anna Laubová and Karel Filsak.

The judging panel consisted of an in-house and an independent section; the in-house members with voting rights were:

• Mayor Jan Konvalinka,
• Věra Smolová, Director of the Příbram State District Archives,
• and, as a substitute for Josef Velfl, Director of the Příbram Mining Museum, First Deputy Mayor Martin Buršík.
• In the independent section, the selection of the winning design was decided by: Ivan Plicka, Arch., Vladimír Sitta, Eng., David Mateásko, Arch., and, as a substitute, Patrik Hoffman, Arch., who stood in for the absent Jitka Ressová, Arch.

Phases of the architectural competition

News

• 19 May 2020 An opportunity for the square and a voice for the citizens (Kahan newsletter no. 6/2020)
• 19 May 2020 Six generations of the family of the famous organist Jan Antonín Alis (Podbrdsko Anthology 2013, Volume XX)
• 17 October 2022 The winner of the architectural competition is… (town press release)
• 1 November 2022 The architectural competition for J. A. Alis Square has a winner (Kahan newsletter No. 11/2022)
• 11 November 2022 Invitation to a discussion on the entries to the architectural competition (press release from the town)