Ostrava announced an architectural competition for the design of the reconstruction of the Svinov granary

Ostrava - The city of Ostrava honors its history, diligently focusing on the preservation of historically valuable buildings while significantly emphasizing quality architecture. Currently, the city has announced another architectural competition, this time looking for authors for the design of the reconstruction of the Svinov granary. The winning proposal will provide a new form for one of the oldest buildings in the city, which is currently in a very unsatisfactory condition. This building illustrates the agricultural past of an entirely originally industrial city. The dating of the building's framework was established during a dendrological survey to be from 1750.

“The city is looking for an author who can find the most suitable solution for this historical building, including a proposal for a library with a multifunctional hall, simultaneously meeting the requirements of contemporary operation and use. The aim of our intention is an efficient reconstruction of the existing structures and the addition of a new building. Considering the nature of the building and the intent of its preservation, we are choosing a so-called narrower architectural one-phase project competition, in which three knowledgeable studios with experience in the reconstruction of old buildings and their conversions or library designs will be invited to submit proposals. Another three suppliers will be invited based on submitted applications, following a reduction in the number of participants in the competition,” states Markéta Langrová, a city councilor in Ostrava, and deputy chairwoman of the evaluation committee.

The Svinov stone granary is a cultural monument, consisting of two adjoining structures. The granary stands in the place of the old economic courtyard of the Wilczek family, where the Svinov fortress was originally situated. The granary was a masonry two-story structure made of mixed masonry, topped with a gable roof and dormers. The building also documents the mutual connection between the residences of people and animals at that time. In the summer of 2025, it was necessary to remove the framework from the granary, which was in a state of emergency. The building has changed owners in the past, with interventions made to both the exterior and interior of the buildings. Currently, the property is owned by the city, which purchased it for approximately 2.2 million crowns. The investment costs for the reconstruction of this cultural monument are now defined at 98 million crowns, a sum that does not include costs for the acquisition of furnishings.

“Interested parties can view the location and submit their applications for participation by March 26, 2026. The submitted applications, including portfolios of the applicants' previous experiences, will be reviewed by the jury, which will then recommend to the city councilors to invite selected participants to submit proposals by the expected deadline of August 24 of this year. The winning proposal should be selected during September, and the competition proposals will be presented in December of this year. The author of the winning proposal will then need to finalize the design of the building, including the interior, and prepare the necessary documentation for the project approval and construction execution,” explains Lukáš Semerák, a city representative and jury member, adding: “Our goal is to preserve one of the oldest buildings in the city, unique in its character, which will blend the old with the new for future use and provide people with an ideal solution for a multifunctional building, with the significant bonus of a library.”

The intention of the city of Ostrava is to use the complex after reconstruction as a municipal library, accessible almost every day. A community center is to be created, a place for meetings. The planned new multifunctional hall will be used not only by the library but can also serve for discussions, author readings, library lessons, events for schools, various clubs, concerts, exhibitions, theatrical performances, and a whole range of other activities. Detailed information about the architectural competition can be found by interested parties here.