Winning designs selected for future Dejvice square transformation

The joint design effort of Dutch architectural firm Benthem Crouwel Architects and Czech studio OVA has emerged victorious in an international architectural competition for the revitalization of the fourth quadrant of Prague 6’s Vítězné náměstí. 

This project seeks to continue the original urban concept of Dejvice by renowned Czech architect Antonín Engel, breathing new life into one of Prague's most important squares. The investor has already inked a contract with the winning team to commence project preparations.

Prague City Council, the Prague 6 district, the University of Chemistry and Technology, and the sponsoring entity Fourth Quadrant – composed of investors Penta Real Estate, Sekyra Group, and Kaprain – jointly unveiled the results of the International architectural competition for the quadrant.

Out of numerous contenders, five teams made it to the final round, including the Dutch firm MVRDV and the Czech-German consortium Pavel Hnilička Architects+Planners and Baumschlager Eberle Architects. These teams presented their proposals to an international jury in mid-June.

The winning design by Benthem Crouwel Architects and OVA envisions a mixed-use development comprising residential, office, and civic spaces. Central to the plan is a new square, seamlessly integrated with the new VŠCHT building and Prague 6's cultural center. 

The quieter side of the project involves a residential block in the eastern part of the area, featuring a semi-private courtyard. Prague's city officials are enthusiastic about the competition's outcome, with Petr Hlaváček, Deputy Mayor of the capital city, praising the architects for meeting the challenges and complementing the existing urban landscape.

Kees Christiaanse, chairman of the competition jury, commended the winning design's ability to balance individual architectural identities with the cohesive urban and architectural vision of the entire project, creating inviting public and private spaces.

The winning proposal was lauded for its urbanism, respecting existing buildings while introducing new high-quality public spaces directly linked to the subway exit. The multifunctional nature of the project, serving both Prague 6 residents and the broader city population, adds to its appeal.

This ambitious project builds upon Antonín Engel's century-old urban concept for Dejvice, offering public and private spaces, greenery, and community opportunities. The project's success was attributed to a collaboration between Benthem Crouwel Architects and OVA, blending local knowledge with international experience.

Benthem Crouwel Architects, known for iconic structures such as Amsterdam's City Museum and Rotterdam Central Station, has previously won architectural competitions in the Czech Republic. Their local partner, OVA, earned recognition for projects like the Lasvit company headquarters and Hotel Sv. Vavřinec in Pec pod Sněžkou.

The competition strived to find an optimal architectural and urban solution for the northwestern part of Vítězné náměstí, involving multifunctional buildings, a new university building for VŠCHT Prague, and a cultural hall to address the district's cultural infrastructure needs.

The public was actively engaged throughout the competition, with local residents and visitors providing feedback on the area's current state and their vision for the new development. The winning and other shortlisted proposals will be showcased to the public at the Center for Architecture and Urban Planning from Oct. 23 to Nov. 12, 2023.

With the contract in place, work on the project is set to commence, offering the potential for Prague's Vítězné náměstí to be revitalized in line with the winning design.