Cloudy

Kaplický building may come to Štvanice
A city concert hall might use a design rejected by České Budějovice
Prague may have a new concert hall on Štvanice island in the Vltava river based on a design by Czech-born architect Jan Kaplický, who died in 2009. Construction of the Stingray (Rejnok) would cost between Kč 1.5 billion to Kč 2 billion and would take until 2022, according to City Councilor Jan Wolf (KDU-ČSL/Trojkoalice). The venue was originally designed for České Budějovice in 2008, but plans to build it were abandoned in 2014. The dark-colored triangular venue would cover 1.5 hectares of land and have two halls inside, with one seating 1,000 people and the other 400.
Wolf said that the city needs another cultural venue and has funds set aside for culture. “Given that the Stingray wasn't built in České Budějovice, I would love to have it in Prague,” Wolf said. Few public buildings have been built in the last 25 years aside from the National Technical Library, which opened in 2009 in Prague 6.
Wolf claims the city has long needed a modern concert hall, and that it could also benefit from a building by a significant modern architect. There is vacant land on Štvanice due to the demolition of a stadium by the previous city administration, and the city owns the land. The Štvanice stadium had fallen into disrepair and was in danger of collapse. It was torn down in 2011.
The location for a city-owned concert hall is uncertain though, as the island is in a flood zone. Another possible location would be at the Vltavska metro stop. If it is built at Štvanice, it could be on pillars with a parking garage on the lower levels, to avoid flood damage. Wolf says it is realistic to estimate that constriction could begin in 2018 and last until 2022.
A previous proposal to build a structure in Prague designed by Jan Kaplický's firm Future Systems was met with widespread disapproval. His proposal for a National Library at Letná won an architectural competition in 2007 but was never built. Both the then-mayor of Prague, Pavel Bém, and the then-president, Václav Klaus, opposed it. The public referred to the design as the Blob or the Octopus, and said its modern look was unsuitable for Prague. The project was canceled in 2008 and so far no new library has been built. A bus stop in the shape of the Blob was eventually built in Brno.
Buildings by Future Systems that have been realized include the Media Centre at Lord's Cricket Ground in London, completed in 1999; the Selfridges Building in Birmingham, England, completed in 2003; and Museo Casa Enzo Ferrari in Milan, Italy, completed in 2012.
Jan Kaplický JKOK exhibition (Dancing House Prague) running till March 12, 2017 - Prague.TV 04.11.2016
Related articles
-
Prague preparing plan for climate change by Raymond Johnston - Prague.TV (Foto: fotolia)
The city is hoping to make a large reduction in its environmental impact
-
Libeňský most to be restored by Raymond Johnston - Prague.TV (Foto: praha.eu)
City Hall has decided against tearing down the bridge and will repair it instead
-
City Hall advances the renovation of Karlovo náměstí by Raymond Johnston - Prague.TV (Foto: praha.eu)
A plan approved last year is undergoing some modifications before implementation
-
Prague plans new cooperative housing by Raymond Johnston - Prague.TV (Foto: fotolia)
The project aims to create affordable housing for the middle class
-
Prague 8 ends contract for Nová Palmovka by Raymond Johnston - Prague.TV (Foto: MČ Praha 8)
The building that was supposed to be the new Town Hall is left unfinished
-
Prague moving forward with new bridges by Raymond Johnston - Prague.TV (Foto: praha.eu)
Construction on the planned Dvorecký most could start in 2021
-
Industrial Palace reconstruction expected in 2020 by Raymond Johnston - Prague.TV (Foto: vystavistepraha.eu)
The new City Hall administration is moving ahead with plans to rebuild
-
Proposals for Rohan City’s second phase unveiled by Raymond Johnston - Prague.TV (Foto: schindlerseko.cz)
A new neighborhood is rising up slowly in the Prague 8 district
-
City wins in Pražská tržnice case by Raymond Johnston - Prague.TV (Foto: wikipedia)
The Showpark border and other tenants are likely to be forced out
-
David Černý statues support Prague 8 complex by Raymond Johnston - Prague.TV (Foto: trigema.cz)
Nová Invalidovna is an innovative housing project filled with new technologies
Facebook comments
Tasty Fresh Mexican fast food in Prague
Superb Donuts in the heart of Prague
Our meat and products straight to your table
A true legend in the restaurant industry - TGI Friday's
Honeco can help you to increase the income on your...
Learn Czech with Empire, speak like a local
Nothing is more important than your health!

Prague’s # 1 source for Czech news in English…

Expat and Czech Business Professional Network

German Language Info Service