OSTRAVA´S PALACE WILL BE TRANSFORMED ACCORDING TO THE DESIGN OF BERLIN STUDIO KUEHN MALVEZZI ARCHITECTS

89 architectural studios from 27 countries around the world entered the international competition. The proposals of the five finalists were assessed by a jury also consisting of international experts. The Antracit Group, together with Kuehn Malvezzi Architects, is now entering the phase of preparing the project documentation. The start of construction work is planned for 2027. The implementation will be divided into several stages, which will allow for the gradual commissioning of individual parts of the complex. We currently expect the completion of the last stage in 2031. The Palace will gradually transform into an open and lively place for residents and visitors to the city.

PALACE ENTERS A NEW STAGE WITH KUEHN MALVEZZI WITH RESPECT FOR HISTORY
“The jury highly appreciates the design by Kuehn Malvezzi for its sensitive treatment of the historical layers of the site and for its informed dialogue with the legacy of the original architect Wunibald Deininger. The architects build on this continuity and create a clear urban framework and a uniform composition of materials that redefines the city block, naturally incorporates the preserved buildings and at the same time allows for a high degree of operational and spatial flexibility for future development. The design convinces with its consistent approach to form and its significant potential to direct the long-term development of the entire project,” says architect Pascal Müller, chairman of the jury.

The design thus counts on maximum respect for the historical character of the building, which was opened in 1913 as the Hotel National according to the design of the Viennese architect Wunibald Deininger. The winning project impressed the jury primarily with its ability to build on the morphology of Ostrava, incorporate contemporary architecture into it, and create new spaces that complement the structure of the entire block and its inner courtyards and passages. “The Palace has a significant place in Ostrava’s history, and we want it to play an equally important role in the future. This transformation will affect life in the entire area, not only for the future residents of the Palace, but also for all those who will naturally use it,” says Jan Hasík, CEO of the investment holding Purposia Group.

FUTURE USE OF THE PALACE
The winning proposal creates a full-fledged urban block consisting of a set of interconnected buildings, combining the reconstruction of preserved buildings, the demolition of existing unsuitable buildings and the completion of new structures. All this is complemented by through passages and courtyards that open the complex towards the surrounding urban structure and support its active integration into the life of the center. The main function of the new block will be rental housing in high-quality, designer-designed small-sized apartments, complemented by social spaces and services directly in the building. Other uses will include a modern lifestyle hotel and smaller commercial units on the open and lively ground floor, which offers an attractive public space with shops, gastronomy and other services as well as a publicly accessible garden. The significance of the area is underlined by the preserved and restored historical interiors – in particular the social Deininger Hall, which will be newly integrated into the daily operation of the complex, as well as the spaces of the former Boccaccio nightclub. The existing student accommodation Kampus Palace remains in its current form.

INVESTMENT IN THE CITY AND WORK SCHEDULE
“The Palace renovation is a strategic investment by our development group and at the same time a long-term investment in the quality of Ostrava’s urban space. Part of our plan is also the operation of the entire complex, which will allow us to ensure its sustainability and development over time. We are now starting negotiations on the contract and the progress of the work, including the phasing of the construction. The first stage will begin with the renovation of the building on 28. října Street. I would like to thank all participants in the competition dialogue, especially the judges and invited experts, including representatives of national heritage protection. The discussion of the conditions arising from the protection of cultural heritage will also be part of the nearest schedule,” adds Zuzana Bajgarová, director of the Antracit group.

QUALITY COMPETITION, STRONG DESIGNS, DIFFERENT APPROACHES
The competition dialogue brought exceptionally high-quality proposals that offered different perspectives on the renovation of the historical block. After more than six months of competition dialogue, the jury, consisting of an independent part of experts and a dependent part consisting of investor representatives, agreed on the following order of finalists:

1st place: Kuehn Malvezzi Architects (DE),

2nd place: NEUHÄUSL HUNAL (CZ),

3rd place: re:architekti + onsitestudio + Transsolar (CZ/IT/DE).

The other finalists were Objektor + Atelier Altan (CZ/FR) and ROAR architekti (SK). The entire competition was organized by the CCEA MOBA platform and the regularity clause was issued by the Czech Chamber of Architects to the competition conditions.