The competition for the Library will be announced on May 16

Prague - An international architectural competition for the construction of a new building for the National Library of the Czech Republic (NK), which is to be established in Prague on the Letná site near Špejchar, will be announced on May 16. Eva Štanská from the NK press department informed CTK today.
According to earlier estimates by the International Union of Architects (UIA), the competition, which will be announced for the first time in the Czech Republic under UIA rules, could attract up to three hundred architects. Competitions held under the conditions of this organization are usually sent to the best creators. Only authors who have completed a cultural construction project worth at least 20 million euros will be able to submit their designs.
Therefore, a representative of UNESCO will also sit on the jury. The chair of the jury will be notable British architect of Iraqi descent Zaha Hadid. The competition will be open, meaning the organizer will not invite anyone. However, NK will inform eight architects by letter that the competition is taking place. Among them will be world-renowned architect of Czech descent Jan Kaplický.
The new library building is to be located between Milady Horákové, Badeniho, Na Špejchaře, and Letenské sady streets. The land is owned by the city and is currently partially occupied by a tram loop. The Prague City Hall intends to sell the land to the NK; the councilors approved the sale for 31.5 million crowns in March. The parcels cover nearly 12,000 square meters, and their market value is almost twice as high.
The construction of the new building is meant to address the spatial problems that the National Library has had since the end of the 19th century. Costs are estimated at around two billion crowns. The transfer of the land will occur only after the library obtains a building permit and proves that it has the funds for construction. It must do so by the end of 2008.