The Philharmonic is not extravagant, it will bring money to Prague
In the center of Prague, it announced the results of an international architectural study on the form of the Vltava Philharmonic. The project, which could be completed in 2032, will cost the capital six billion. According to Prague Councilor Petr Hlaváček, however, the construction cannot be assessed as extravagant, but as a good investment that will bring money to the city. “From an example from abroad, we also analyze that it has a significant economic effect. It is a good investment not only in the city and its culture, but also in its economy, “said Hlaváček in an interview with Newstream.
What criteria were most important to you when choosing a winner?
Most of the jurors noticed all aspects of the proposal. We had very good data from experts, in which they consistently processed individual topics such as acoustics or transport. For me personally, the most important thing was the architects’ work with the place and its surroundings, the relationship to the river and the city as a whole.
The new studio of the Philharmonic in Prague for six billion figures is the Danish studio Bjrake Ingles Group
Money
The winner of the international architectural competition for the design of the new Philharmonic building in Prague was the Danish studio Bjarke Ingels Group. The results were announced by representatives of the capital and its Institute of Planning and Development. According to the city management’s plans, the building should be completed in 2032, the cost is estimated at about six billion crowns. The new cultural center with several halls, which should also be the seat of the Czech Philharmonic, is to stand next to the Vltavská metro station.
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What specifically decided the winner?
The winning BIG proposal was very well evaluated from the beginning by an evaluated expert in these areas. I consider this one of the important moments. And the second was the work with the layout and character of the house and again the relationship to the river. The preparation team wisely decided that the jury would meet for three days, which may seem like a short time to some. However, we took full advantage of that time. On the last day, however, we discussed mostly the second, third, fourth and fifth place. In the first place, there was a clear consensus.
The winning design is not a vulgar cheap attraction
Was it hard to choose?
It is always difficult to choose a winner, even if you have your favorite. Although a large part of the jury went to the winning proposal, I realized that I was responsible for the final decision, because we get not only the proposal, but also a partner for ten years of cooperation. We chose not only the house, but also the team with which we or our colleagues will spend a certain part of their lives. The proposals were anonymous. We all guessed, but in the end we found out that we were wrong quite often, which is interesting because most jurors know the job and the creation of candidates.
And did you guess the right team for the winning proposal?
I wasn’t entirely sure, I thought it was a different team for a long time. But I’m glad it’s BIG when I see the energy that architectural works give and what buildings around the world have grown under their leadership. Bjarke Ingels Studio is currently the absolute world leader, but I was still surprised by what they were able to come up with. The building does not scream, it is not a vulgar cheap attraction, yet it will be a landmark. The building is open to all, democratic, yet has a clear order. The authors have a great understanding of where they put the building, but they come up with a completely new approach to public space for Prague. And it makes us think more about him. And they bring us closer to our river. This proposal is not love at first sight, yet I am absolutely convinced that we will all fall in love with it. I’m already looking forward to the BIG concert.
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This is not an umbrella, but a luxury fashion accessory and an ideal collector’s item, the luxury brand has defended the criticism that its umbrella is an ordinary scumbag.
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Was there a consensus on the winner on the committee?
Yes, and we are very happy about that.
The Vltava Philharmonic has no competition in the Czech Republic
How do you rate the level of competition?
The competition was one of the most important in terms of cast. I was recently the head of the jurors in Brno at the competition at the Main Railway Station, which was also a very high quality competition, but the number of important foreign studios at the Vltava Philharmonic cannot be compared to any competition in the Czech Republic. More than a hundred studios from all over the world have signed up. There was really a lot to choose from.
What will happen now?
When our current euphoria subsides that we have really succeeded in choosing a very successful proposal, which is not provocative in the first place, but will become a new icon and a dominant feature of Prague, we will knock and move on. We promised to hold an international competition in this election period, in which the current architectural aces will enter, and we succeeded.
It will now be designed and undergoing a permitting process by about 2025, and construction could begin in 2027. The first tones of the Smetana Vltava should be heard in Holešovice in 2032. It is therefore not the case that tomorrow we are starting to build, as some political colleagues write to me. No one knows what the economic and geopolitical situation will be like in five years’ time, but we all hope that the time of prosperity will come again and the world will return to some normal, even though it will probably look a little different than we used to.
Brownfield will turn billions in investments in Žižkov. A new neighborhood will be created
Money
Instead of a brownfield, a new neighborhood will be created that will offer a home for 23,000 people. However, billions in investments in the development of the surroundings of the Žižkov Freight Station will also cover the construction of a kindergarten and primary school, the planting of new greenery or the creation of a cycle path.
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Does Prague really need such a building?
I don’t want the Philharmonic to be perceived as a kind of extravagance that we will build for joy if we don’t know what to do with money. It is not like that. Let us not give the impression that cultural buildings such as the Philharmonic are a uselessness we cannot afford. It is the second construction that brings a large number of people throughout the course, including operation, which means positive effects on sales or taxes collected. We know from an example from abroad that it has a significant economic effect. It is a good investment not only in the city and its culture, but also in its economy.
What will it bring to Prague and Holešovice besides money?
The Vltava Philharmonic is an important intention of Prague for the development of the wider Bubny-Zátory locality. It is there that we plan to build a new city district in the area of the currently unused brownfield. There will be housing for up to 25,000 inhabitants, complete public facilities or a large central park, which will be connected to Stromovka. The future appearance of the new Bubny-Zátory district will also have a major impact on the Vltava Philharmonic. It will become the dominant feature of the new district, just as it did with the Elbe Philharmonic in Hamburg’s HafenCity.
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PPF Group, in cooperation with Karlín Goup, is embarking on residential development. The agreement covers four billion dollars worth of projects.
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We will compete for the Vltava Philharmonic, says architect from Zaha Hadid
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Jakub Klaška has been working at Zaha Hadid Architects since 2010. During that time, he has worked on a number of diverse projects in Europe and Asia. He also participates in the project of transforming Masaryk Railway Station for the Penta investment group. A project for a new philharmonic on Vltavská will also compete with the studio. How does he perceive Czech urbanism and what does it lack in the Czech Republic from the point of view of urban architecture? I answer that in an interview for newstream.cz.
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