Martin Hrouda and Jíří Kotal, two friends and colleagues from U / U Studio, who have a common passion – skateboarding. Together they met in Prague 7 and they managed the almost impossible to revitalize the operation at the Vltavská metro station, which created a unique skate park that has no period in the Czech Republic.

How did the idea to be that there would be a skatepark under the Hlávek Bridge?
We wanted to bring a fresh breeze to the public space. We liked the idea of ​​incorporating skateboarding into the city’s architecture. It is now also a benefit for passers-by who can see that something is happening there.

Is it possible to find anything similar in the Czech Republic? Where were you inspired?
We have been skating for various years for over 10 years and it occurs to me that in Western Europe they understood that in this way the city can come to life. For example in Copenhagen or Barcelona. In Scandinavia, they even have a designated person from the ranks of skateboarders, who represents the whole community in negotiations with the authorities, and he tries to implement such ideas, for example, in the design of the square.

But skateboarders here are perceived as destroying public space rather than reviving it, don’t you think?
It’s probably a misunderstanding of the sport. The skateboarder is not going to destroy something for the first purpose, but to do a trick on the bench, for example. But if the right material is used, no destruction will occur and the bench still looks good.

On Vltavská, however, it is still an underpass for pedestrians and cyclists. Weren’t you afraid that you would run into security in the authorities?
That was the hardest thing, convincing the Department of Transportation, the police, that it would work and that it made sense. Strong argument that they were created above and if you look at it from above, because because the underpass is actually useless now, it can be bypassed elsewhere. In addition, even those obstacles are designed so that they do not obstruct the space and there is still a four-meter corridor for pedestrians, and at the beginning there are also belts for the blind. There will also be information boards that allow people to enter the area with mixed traffic.

We convinced them that it would be worth it. Of course we were scared, but we did it with great enthusiasm and finally we agreed with the construction company before the beginning of the summer and I started to believe that it would work out. I think it’s unique.

How long did the whole process take from the idea to the final implementation?
Martin Kontra and Richard Prajsler from Bajkazl came to see us first, that was in January this year. We then started to solve it, the deputy mayor of Prague 7, Hana Třeštíková, helped us a lot. When I looked at it, I thought it would be great and the embodiment of our philosophy – to convert an obsolete space with the help of skateboarding. But as far as I know the state administration, I didn’t believe it, because we know how it works with those stamps in the offices. In the end, I thought that if it didn’t work out with this team, it would be the next generation.

Is it difficult to convince officials when a boy in a cap comes to see them?
Yeah that’s right. Here in the Czech Republic, it is still fixed that those who ride a skate fetishize. It is a generational view, and I believe that when younger people get into politics, that will change. I still come across prejudices, it’s very difficult to persuade. We always say: You see, our work speaks for us.

In the past, mainly homeless people and drug addicts gathered there. Aren’t you afraid he’ll go back there?
With skateboarders and bikers, these people shouldn’t go back. Drug addicts and the like tend to move somewhere where they are not visible, so hopefully it will be so.

Do you already have any feedback from skateboarders or locals?
Just positive. There is no space in Prague where you can drive in the winter, so you went to the garages at the malls. You can ride here even at night, it has an atmosphere. In the spring there should be a stall where it will be possible to buy snacks.

Is this your best project yet, or are you already planning something better?
This is definitely the best so far, but in the spring we made a leisure area at the Exhibition Grounds, where you can play hockey, skate and play basketball. Something similar should also be built in Řeporyje, where the mayor Pavel Novotný, who likes it, is pushing it. In addition, there should be sculptures and various artistic elements.

Michal Markup

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