The Czech Architecture Award this year was won by the children's hospice House for Julia

hospice

Prague - This year's Czech Architecture Award has been awarded to the children's hospice House for Julia. Its authors are Tomáš Págo, Milan Joja, and Karel Kubza from the studio Čtyřstěn architects, along with landscape architect Marek Holán. The winners were announced today by representatives of the Czech Chamber of Architects, which organizes the competition. Along with the main winner, the jury also awarded five projects the title of Finalist and two others with the Alena Šrámková Award and an honorable mention.

The House for Julia provides children with incurable diseases primarily with respite care, rehabilitation, and therapies, while also creating a space for rest, support, and tranquility for their families. The jury appreciated that the architects created an environment that combines functionality with deep humanity. According to them, it is an open, light-filled house, set in a sloped plot and naturally connecting the interior with the landscape. The central atrium with a pond, trees, and flower beds offers patients and their loved ones a place for silence, meetings, and contemplation.

The building is organized into three levels. The operational part is located on the lower floor, the main residential floor with children's rooms, common areas, and terraces is in the middle, and accommodations for parents and open rooftop gardens are situated on the upper floor. Natural materials, primarily wood, were used, which according to the jurors adds warmth and dignity to the structure. Overall, the architecture provides a new model of care.

"The House for Julia is an exceptionally carefully thought out and architecturally balanced project. The goal was to provide children, who often spend long periods confined indoors, with the opportunity to experience a pleasant environment and stay outside in fresh air. This also offers parents and families a chance to rest and ease their responsibilities related to caring for the children,” stated the jury in their assessment. In addition to the main award, the House for Julia also received the Award from the President of the Senate Miloš Vystrčil (ODS) and the Public Award.

Among the finalists of the competition were the Reconstruction and Extension of the ERA production building in Pardubice, the Park on Moravské Square in Brno, a family house in Polanka nad Odrou, Villa Sidonius, and the Reconstruction of the former railway warehouse in Řevnice – Community Center Sklad 13. The reconstruction of the Řevnice warehouse also received the Alena Šrámková Award. This is the first time the organizers of the competition have awarded this prize, aimed at emphasizing and supporting the role of women in contemporary architecture. An honorable mention from the jury was awarded to the complex of anti-erosion measures and landscape modifications in Vohančice.

Individual architectural projects were also recognized by the competition partners, including ministries for regional development, culture, and industry and trade. The Academy of the Czech Architecture Award annually also awards accolades for exceptional activities in the field of architecture. This year, this award was given to director Jan Zajíček and the author of the theme Vladimir 518 for the film Architecture of Czechoslovakia 58–89.