Location: | Prague 5, Smíchov |
Client 1st phase: | Chief Architect office |
Client 2nd phase: | District office of Prague 5 |
Architect: | D.A. Studio |
Author: | Jaroslav Zima, Martin Rajniš, Tomáš Prouza |
Collaboration: | Atelier DUA - Václav Malina, Ivan Lejčar, Jiří Paleček |
Use: | urban study |
Project 1st phase: | December 1990 |
Project 2nd phase: | June 1991 |
Illustration: | Jaroslav Zima |
At the start of the 1990s, the entire neighbourhood of Smíchov was threatened with massive demolition for road-building, and we wanted to show its unique urban qualities that should be retained and developed further. Using historic plans, we confirmed the axis of Smíchov, the current street Nádražní. We observed the public spaces and squares located on this north-south axis parallel to the Vltava, and proposed supplementing the urban structure to the south, past the Smíchov rail station (viewed as another local centre) and ending at Zlíchov. We designed a tunnel under the hill of Mrázovka and new bridges to connect both banks of the growing city. At the base of the rail bridge, we suggested digging out a channel to create a new island and linking it with footbridges to another island, Císařský ostrov, and the mainland for greater recreational potential. The construction was to be created from smaller individual buildings; care was devoted to the size of the new squares, their position and ties to the surroundings.