The dormitories in Prague's Strahov district are past their prime. They suffer from operational shortcomings and do not meet the demands placed on today's university campuses. This is one of the reasons why their reconstruction has become a priority for CTU Rector Prof. Michal Pěchouček, who took office at the beginning of February.
"We want Strahov to be transformed into modern academic housing, where not only students but also some lecturers and academics will find a home. Our experience so far shows that students need not only accommodation but also a place to study and meet. We want to accommodate them in this, because it is through sharing that the best ideas are born," explains Michal Pěchouček.
The efforts of the new university management have caught the attention of the prime minister, who believes that the issue needs to be addressed as quickly as possible. "It is a mistake that the reconstruction of the Strahov dormitories has been delayed for so long; they are in really poor condition," says Andrej Babiš, adding: "It is also a government priority to start this construction as soon as possible. I have agreed with Rector Pěchouček that I will visit Strahov with him."
The students of the Faculty of Architecture of the Czech Technical University in Prague also sought a solution for the largest dormitory in Europe in terms of capacity. The Kordovský studio addressed the revitalization of the entire Strahov campus. Today, it is a single contiguous area with the potential to become an attractive, lively, and socially active student district.
The project involves not only the construction of high-quality accommodation facilities, but also facilities for science, sports, and leisure activities. Once the tram line from Malovanka to Strahov Hill begins operating, the tracks will also connect to the Dejvice campus.
Today, Minister of Health Adam Vojtěch and the Prime Minister also viewed student designs for a new metropolitan hospital in Prague's Letňany district, created in the studio of architects Michal Juha and Ondřej Tuček from the Institute of Building Sciences. The students worked with an urban concept for a new city district, which, in addition to the hospital and residential buildings, will also include a university campus.
Five student projects addressed the architectural and operational design of the hospital. They envisage a capacity of approximately 1,200 beds and a total floor area of around 250,000 m². The projects do not aspire to be finished designs. They serve as a conceptual verification of possible directions for further development and as a basis for expert discussion.
"The goal is not to replace architects or designers. We offer independent expert support, with the possibility of safely testing various options before design and investment begin. This approach reduces risks, increases the quality of preparation for key construction projects, and, last but not least, saves public funds," explains Dalibor Hlaváček, Dean of the Faculty of Architecture at the Czech Technical University in Prague.
During the winter semester, the faculty presented 1,500 student projects dedicated to topics such as the housing crisis, the adaptation of cities to climate change, the careful management of architectural heritage, and new possibilities for the use of neglected urban areas.
All projects are also on display online and first-year students have their own gallery. Photos from the exhibition are available for download HERE.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
