Designs

1 - Henning Larsen Architects (DK) + Ramboll (DK)

Virtual tour of the design

WRITTEN EVALUATION OF THE QUALITY OF THE FINAL DESIGN SOLUTIONS BY THE VOTING MEMBERS/ALTERNATES OF THE EVALUATION COMMITTEE, RECOMMENDATIONS FOR REFINEMENT

In particular, the Commission appreciates the comprehensive approach and the coherence of the solution across the whole area, across the different themes, whose solutions are intertwined and support each other. It gives a harmonious impression.

The distinctive approach presented in the Concept, which is a contemporary interpretation of the approach of the authors of the original check-in hall, was elaborated and defended in the subsequent stages of the Competition Dialogue. The principle of raising the roof and creating a covered public space that on one side flows seamlessly into the park and on the other into the interior part of the hall with access to the trains eliminates individual barriers and promotes orientation and clarity in the area. The attention of visitors, passengers, and above all residents is thus directed to the continuous public space that the area naturally becomes and is not fragmented between the various existing levels that are problematically connected. This creates a true transport hub, which is so variable that it will allow for a seamless adaptation of Metro S and Metro D in the future.

The design identifies valuable and functional elements from the original design (but also in relation to the principles of Fant's building), which it further interprets, develops and replicates in its design and sub-elements. In this way, it interweaves the historical footprint with today and the future user environment. The solution allows for the restoration of the non-existent visual and functional connection of the Fant building with the Vrchlický Sady space, as well as making Vrchlický Sady present in the parterre of the Fant building. The integrity and permeability of the area is thus rehabilitated in its original spatial contours. It thus appropriately complements the intention of adapting the arterial street into an urban boulevard.

The open approach in the case of the design of the apron is all the more evident in the design of the park. It is thus transformed into a public urban space with a dominant share of greenery. It works with valuable existing trees, which are suitably complemented by new planting.

The subdivision, extent and character of the individual paved and unpaved surfaces responds appropriately to the current and future anticipated user load. The basic subdivision of the park into functional areas and their initiation of activities (whether playground, market and gathering space, dog run, rest, waiting for trains, etc.) and expected residential qualities is designed in relation to the adjacent areas, whether the Museum Oasis, existing development along Opletal and Washington Streets, and in relation to the proposed transformation of the Bolzano Garage building. In a way, this articulation is also the authors' interpretation of the soft shaping of the lawns and paths in the park from the late 19th century, the period of Ferdinand Malý's design and František Thomayer's subsequent redesign. It is not based on formal gestures requiring directive guidance of pedestrians and thus allows for a response to the natural movement of users in the area.

The tramway design does not create barriers to permeability and becomes a natural part of the site. The stops are part of the covered public space of the concourse and this solution thus supports the transfer links. The tram line and the stops are thus not 'next to' the station, but are a natural part of it, as well as part of the park.

The approach to street design at the interface of the development and the park appropriately defines the individual profiles. These allow for the addition of tree planting, parking and, above all, safe cycling and pedestrian permeability. A significant element in relation to the forthcoming reconstruction of the Fant Building forecourt and the implementation of the Wilson Street crossing is the creation of a new covered platform for K+R and buses on the apron side.

The comprehensive approach to the design of the area was confirmed in the reflection on the transformation of the Bolzanova Garage building, even though it was commissioned for solution only in the conceptual level within the framework of the Competitive Dialogue. The team came up with a (gradual) transformation of functions (supply hall, bike depot city logistics, café, etc.) and capacities that are in direct relation to the solution of the adjacent part of the park. The design of the building will thus appropriately support the activation of this sociopathological site.

The Competitive Dialogue process is not only about finding solutions, but above all about finding a partner for the contracting authority. The participant has demonstrated its responsiveness to comments and recommendations throughout the process, and has been pushing its solution and looking for opportunities for improvement all along the way.

The committee's basic recommendations for further refinement of the proposal at the Study stage:

Address the location of the new roof structure columns in relation to the operation and design of the Metro C
Reconsider the design of the new central staircase with respect to its existing dominance and in relation to pedestrian linkages
Elaborate the phasing of the implementation of the individual parts; it is advisable to prioritise the implementation of the tram line in the first phase in terms of serving the area
Develop the extent of green spaces in the park and the phasing of the transformation of the park, whether in relation to trees or landscaping
Develop a Concept Management Plan for the management and development of the park
Refine the follow-up to the solution from the TT Wenceslas Square project (e.g. solution at the Wilsonova/Political Prisoners intersection - removal of the underpass, etc.)
Refinement of the traffic regime (K+R, parking) in Opletalova street
Refinement of the design of the Opletalova x Bolzanova intersection, especially with regard to the passage of cars and pedestrian accessibility
To refine the cycling solution along Wilson Street in the link Bulhar - Václavské náměstí
Coordination of the solution with the S and D metro plans

Detailed recommendations from the sponsors and invited experts, including outputs from the public participation of the winning proposal, will form part of the documentation for the refinement phase of the Study.

2 - Miralles Tagliabue EMBT (ES) + OCA architects (ESCZ)

WRITTEN EVALUATION OF THE QUALITY OF THE FINAL DESIGN SOLUTIONS BY THE VOTING MEMBERS/ALTERNATES OF THE EVALUATION COMMITTEE, RECOMMENDATIONS FOR REFINEMENT

The attempt to reconcile the intervention of an infrastructural building from the 1970s into the space of the original park by extending its identity as a kind of park greenhouse was seen from the beginning as a promising and legitimate concept allowing for an attractive rendering.

The addition above the existing concourse was shaped to follow the Art Nouveau language of both the Fant building and the existing station halls above the platforms. At the same time, the added volume was a quest to add new functional layers and engage the existing roof with the life of the area.

The approach to the design of the park was similar, with an emphasis from the beginning on the intensive spatial, landscape and material character of the space.

The refined design is only a reflection of the lightness of the Concept and refining parts of the design did not provide convincing solutions in terms of function, operation, management and sustainability of the whole solution. This is both with regard to the design of the apron, the park and the transport.

The design and function of the hall has been undermined by the emphasis on extending/relocating functions to the existing hall roof, but its function has not been convincingly defended. Particularly with regard to moderating infill, but also in terms of access. At the same time, the attempt to attract passengers to the upper level also causes a deterioration in natural orientation, particularly from the underpasses below the platforms. The interior of the existing concourse is designed to be as open as possible and to create superior waiting areas; on the other hand, this solution relegates commercial areas and passenger services to only lateral, unattractive positions.

It is likely that the added construction of a new roof would generate increased capital costs, but these have not been sufficiently justified by the operation of the newly created space.

The richness of the park's design, originally mainly artistic, proved to be too much in the refinement. The overall layout of the areas in some parts makes accessibility and natural clarity and orientation difficult. The Commission perceived a desire to significantly change the character of the landscape design, which in its planting intensity was related to the historical design of Ferdinand Malý or the flower garden of František Thomayer, but this would require an unsustainable intensity of aftercare in the long term, also in view of the burden on the area. Nevertheless, it is clear that the overall approach seeks to link the hall and the park and define a new more harmonious relationship between them.

From a technical point of view, the tramway is up to the specification. In terms of spatial arrangement, the location of the stops in the axis of the apron is not convincing with regard to the overall permeability and continuity to the city. The design of the surrounding streets, which primarily builds on and only slightly modifies the existing situation, is not convincing and only minimally responds to the expectations defined in the brief. Also problematic is the cycling solution, which is limited to only basic types of measures in the surrounding streets and the permeability through the park is addressed by a difficult to use path. The depot for long-term parking is also only on the north side of the hall with minimal connection to the access.

The Commission positively evaluates the idea of using the Bolzano garage building and the broader consideration of the functioning and involvement of, for example, the socially vulnerable in the management and maintenance of the park (which is already happening today and is perceived positively).

The creativity, richness of form and colour of the design was a welcome addition to the Competition Dialogue.

The committee's basic recommendations for further refinement of the proposal at the Study stage:

Search for optimization in the shape and design of the new roofing, both in terms of the relationship to the Fant building, the complexity of implementation, maintenance and function
To address the issue of the foundation of new construction in relation to the operation and design of Metro C
Develop and improve the layout and zoning of the commercial facilities (and facilities) of the apron also in relation to the vacant areas
Adjust the design of the internal greenery, especially with regard to long-term sustainability and management
Modify and define the mode and extent of necessary management of the operation of the existing roof under and access to the new roof structure
Elaborate the phasing of the implementation of the individual parts; it is advisable to prioritise the implementation of the tram line in the first phase in terms of serving the area
Develop the extent of green spaces in the park and the phasing of the transformation of the park, whether in relation to trees or landscaping
Refine the park design to take into account the sustainability and maintenance of the flowered and grassed areas as well as the viability of the trees in the proposed positions.
Modify the design of the road network (both in the park and within the adjacent streets) with regard to natural accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists
Improve the overall natural orientation in the area
Redesign the park areas adjacent to the Bolzanova garage building in coordination with their transformation to create a functional public space
Develop a Concept Management Plan for the management and development of the park
Simplify the concept of new furniture and additional elements in the park (e.g. lighting)
Adjust and refine the traffic regime in the surrounding streets (VDZ, K+R, parking, pedestrian crossings, cycling...)
Refinement of the design of the Opletalova x Bolzanova intersection, especially with regard to the crossing of cars and trams and pedestrian accessibility
Modify the solution of Washington Street to a solution without a southern connection to Wilson Street (blind), also in relation to the solution from the project TT Václavské náměstí
Refine the link to the solution from the TT Wenceslas Square project (e.g. solution at the Wilsonova/Politických vězňů intersection and the section of Politických vězňů Street)
Adjust the position of the tram stops in front of the hall with regard to the passage of passengers.
To refine the cycling solution along Wilson Street in the link Bulhar - Václavské náměstí. Refine the solution for cycling in the park, especially with regard to the easy bicycle-train connection
Modify the supply method to allow supply from the mezzanine level.
Coordination of the solution with the S and D metro plans

3 - re architekti (CZ) + baukuh (IT) + YellowOffice (IT)

WRITTEN EVALUATION OF THE QUALITY OF THE FINAL DESIGN SOLUTIONS BY THE VOTING MEMBERS/ALTERNATES OF THE EVALUATION COMMITTEE, RECOMMENDATIONS FOR REFINEMENT

The proposal clearly and correctly identifies the key problems of the current situation and seeks to respond to them with targeted measures.

The Commission positively perceived the concept of preserving the central part of the hall, or a modification that restores its original open/free space scheme, and the creation of two new buildings on the sides that open the hall to Wenceslas Square and Bolzano Street.

From the beginning, the design had a very rational and positively evaluated approach to the solution of the tram line and the connecting streets and cycling.

The park solution presented in the revised design develops the existing situation, also in relation to the original concept designed by Otakar Kuča in connection with the construction of the New Check-in Hall. The solution is adapted to the new relationships and side accesses to the hall, especially from the south from Wenceslas Square.

The proposal involves the construction of two new buildings on the sides of the concourse, replacing the current supply ramps. These buildings not only provide new entrances to the concourse, but contain new functions and infills and, in particular, by being elevated above the existing concourse roof, are intended to support the new use of the concourse. This creates a newly defined plaza at the WIlson Street level along with the Fanta Building, where the proposal primarily focuses new outdoor activities and infills, whether "permanent" or just seasonal. While this approach develops the foreground of the Fanta building, it still remains significantly disconnected from the surrounding park and town and the visitor must go there almost purposefully. The Commission perceived this public space to be problematic, particularly in terms of how much the space needed to be actively moderated and whether the solution was sustainable in the long term, and so the roof space issue was not convincingly resolved. The interior of the hall provides newly added areas of commerce, but at the same time reduces the natural orientation in the multitude of new passages.

The design of the park, despite significant modifications in the refinement of the design, does not bring the expected transformation in the functioning and attractiveness of the fillings, which are primarily on the roof of the hall, but also from a landscape point of view it brings only minimal changes in the character of the entire space, albeit biotechnologically functional. The Commission is not convinced that the stated one-size-fits-all approach to dealing with large soft (primarily grassed) areas is both adequate and sustainable, even given the current situation.

The streetcar line solution comes up with a very clear and functional solution, and the section along Washington Street in particular with the inserted tree line is positively evaluated. The detailed knowledge of the local environment and issues is also evident in the design of the surrounding streets, as is the design of the cycling, both destination and transit, and this is written into the quality of the approach.

However, the traffic solution was also evaluated from a holistic perspective, including the lack of intuitive solutions for movements in the hall and pedestrian permeability.

The Commission sees some partial (and technical) solutions and approaches as positive, but their contextualisation and interplay within the overall quality has not been convincingly translated into the proposal. The resulting functional relationship and expression of the additions to the retained part of the apron is also seen as problematic. The proposal adapts the current situation in all parts of the area. However, from an overall functional point of view, whether operational, landscape, commercial, but also sustainable, etc., this approach does not bring about the expected and sufficient transformation even with regard to future changes and development in the area.

The committee's basic recommendations for further refinement of the proposal at the Study stage:

Continue to look for the exact shape of the extensions
Develop and improve the layout and zoning of commercial amenities and passenger areas in the concourse and in relation to natural orientation and transfer links
Modify and define the mode and extent of necessary management of the operation of the existing roof, including access to it
Clarify the issue of the foundation of new structures of extensions in relation to the operation and construction of the C subway
Elaborate the phasing of the implementation of the individual parts; it is advisable to prioritise the implementation of the tram line in the first phase in terms of serving the area
Develop the extent of green spaces in the park and the phasing of the transformation of the park, whether in relation to trees or landscaping
Continue to look for shape solutions and routing of pedestrian links in the park
Modify the design of the park with regard to sustainability, particularly in terms of the proportion of areas requiring intensive care/maintenance.
Add possible activities and land-use regimes in the park, both with regard to the seasons and in the long term
Redesign the park areas adjacent to the Bolzanova garage building in coordination with their transformation to create a functional public space
Develop a Concept Management Plan for the management and development of the park
Modify the supply method to allow supply from the mezzanine level.
Coordination of the solution with the S and D metro plans
Modify the K+R design along Wilsonova Street to improve direct transfer links
Explore other possible solutions, e.g. separation from the main traffic area, cycling in Opletalova and Washingtonova streets