Results of the competition for the design of the Patton memorial

Yesterday afternoon, a two-day meeting of the jury of the art and architecture competition for the design of the General Patton memorial in the park area under the Great Theatre in Plzeň concluded. The seven-member jury, which included not only the mayor of Plzeň, Pavel Rödl, but also the grandson of the famous General George Patton Waters, evaluated the work of 37 teams. The winning design comes from the workshop of Ing. arch. Václav Zůna, Mgr. Lubomír Čermák, and Tomáš Beneš. “An exhibition of all competition designs will be on display from November 9 to 22 at the Peklo cultural center, where the General Patton Museum is currently located,” said the director of the Concept and Development Department of the City of Plzeň, Irena Vostracká.

According to the jury, the submitted designs are of very high quality. “Formally, all 37 submitted designs met the competition criteria. During their study, the jury disqualified two proposals from proper evaluation: one due to the placement of the memorial outside the designated area and the other due to a breach of anonymity in the text message by mentioning the names of the consultants,” explained the chairman of the jury, Ing. arch. Milan Košař.

Evaluation of Winning Designs

Awards
1st place – design no. 25
Ing. arch. Václav Zůna, Mgr. Lubomír Čermák, Tomáš Beneš
The design from a numerous group resolved the shape of the stela and additionally chose the classic form of a “triumphal arch” in a lighter form. The personality of General Patton is recalled here with a doubled silhouette of the portrait in life-size in an opposing position. The used silhouette motif clearly refers to the physical appearance of General Patton, without being burdened by established forms of memorials from past decades. The basic material of the memorial is corten – freely referring to the material of the armor of the General's tanks. The proposed solution fully respects the concept of modifications of the entire space adjoining the theatre building. This proposed concept suitably complements, finishes, and creates a harmonious whole with it. The proposed solution – a double silhouette of the profile – cleverly elevates the classic motif of the stela. The material used in the form of a narrowed “triumphal arch” allows for the creation of a final dominant element without creating a spatial barrier in the relaxed space of the historical park area. Although the chosen form of the solution is significantly simple, it offers surprising and changing forms from different viewpoints. The proposed solution also appears positive from the perspective of acquisition costs and especially from the perspective of maintenance and the influence of vandalism.

2nd place – design no. 1
Ing. arch. Vratislav Danda, Ing. arch. Pavel Ullmann, Ing. arch. Radovan Kupka, Ing. arch. Ondřej Smolík, Ing. arch. Jaromír Kosnar
The design sensitively enters the designated area and fully utilizes the possibility of a partial intervention in the green area. However, its mass center does not disrupt the views of the theatre or the future café. The proposed solution does not restrict the intense pedestrian traffic in this location and dignifiedly advances the armored plate with significant biographical data of General Patton into this frequented area. The stela itself is placed away from communication areas and is composed of armor with circular openings, which, from a distance, form the shape of the General's face. The height of the stela and the dimensions of the pedestal harmonize with the future modification of the entire space. The material used – armor representing the tank division – also hints at a demarcation line and its advantage is that it is essentially maintenance-free. Another positive aspect is that the author also considered the nighttime illumination of the entire work. The overall costs of the work are reasonable.

3rd place – design no. 28
Mgr. Josef Ducha ak. mal., Ing. arch. Petr Dolejší, Ing. arch. Jaroslav Hlásek, Ing. arch. Miroslav Tupý
The proposed object serves as a memorial – a work of art (sculpture), a databank, and a teaching aid all in one. It tells a story that is encoded in its shape and graphic prints. Its form is inspired by anti-tank barriers – a cross. The interesting coincidence of the nine-armed cross and the fact that this number matches the nine divisions of Patton's Third Army. Symbolically, the advancement of the nine army divisions can be recorded on nine surfaces. An important moment and expression of respect for the fallen lives is the recording of individual names on one of the walls. The memorial is essentially a teaching aid from which a perceptive and informed observer can decipher a variety of interesting connections. There is nothing superfluous on it, and also nothing is missing. The graphic process of silk-screen printing was first brought to Bohemia by the American army. Coincidentally, modern American art is based on silk-screen printing technique, thus very significant works of art could arise. Without silk-screen printing, the works of Roy Lichtenstein or Andy Warhol would not exist. This object thus has numerous meanings and overlaps and serves as a dignified memorial to General Patton. The jury recommends verifying the authenticity of the General's portrait.

Prizes
design no. 8: Ing. arch. Petr Šneberk, Ing. Jiří Nenadál
design no. 16: Mgr. Marcel Hron, Ing. arch. Vít Kándl


Overall Evaluation of the Jury

In conclusion, the jury unequivocally stated the contribution of this competition, reflected in the participation of 37 submitted competitive designs. Despite the complexity of the chosen space for the placement of the memorial (busy pedestrian traffic, the theatre building itself, and the planned construction of a café), the submitted proposals mostly confirmed the correctness of the chosen location and the proposals enrich the entire space with their solutions.
The awarded and recognized designs, which the jury selected from a total number of designs with various concepts, best captured the idea and express the personality of General Patton in relation to the historical context of the liberation of Plzeň and at the same time respond most suitably to the final form of this prominent space.
A great contribution to the work of the jury was the personal participation of Mr. George Patton Waters, the General's grandson.
The jury also noted the high quality of the prepared competition conditions and the overall organization and provision of the jury's work.
The jury unequivocally recommends that the competition announcer engage in negotiations with the author of the winning proposal to conclude a contract for the processing of project documentation and subsequent realization of the work.