Olověný Dušan Energized the Faculty: Awards Presented for Best Student Projects

The competition is organized annually by the Association of Architecture Students (SPA) and evaluates student work produced at the faculty during the past winter semester. At the same time, the jury assesses individual studios in terms of the quality of the assignment, the quality of outputs, and the level of presentation. An exhibition of the winning and nominated projects is on display in the atrium of the FA CTU until March 26.

This year’s edition featured the motto "desire to move" and thematically referred to the ancient ideal of kalokagathia – mens sana in corpore sano (a healthy mind in a healthy body). "We wanted to show that architects can also occasionally straighten their backs hunched over a computer and do something good for their bodies. In the weeks leading up to the gala evening, we therefore prepared a supporting program – group runs, a ping-pong tournament, and a happening on the piazzetta," explains one of the main organizers, Teodor Hasala.

The supporting program also included broadcasts from the student radio station RaDuše – Radio Dušan, recordings of which are available on the competition website. The gala evening itself was accompanied by musical performances by the bands Nostra and Kosmetik Institut.

Projects in the Architecture category were evaluated by a jury consisting of Irena Hrabincová, Kristína Ullmanová, Markéta Mráčková, Iľja Skoček, and Tomáš Zdvihal. They nominated seven projects for the shortlist, with the main prize going to Hotel Sušice by Matěj Čepička. Created in the Sosna–Filsak studio, the project addresses the design of a hotel in a prominent location near the bridge over the Otava River at the entrance to the historic center of Sušice. The jury praised the sensitive placement of the building within the context of the bridgehead and the embankment, as well as the sophisticated solution for individual operational functions. According to the jury, the overall work with volume and the roof plane, the arcade by the bridge, the restaurant terrace, and the distinctive wellness window make it seem as if the building has stood on the site forever.

The jury also presented three special awards. These were given to the projects Hospital Suburb Kadaň (Jan Beránek, Tomáš Marček, Bianca Bozalková, Aneta Marysková), Sušice City Block (Pavlína Rejmanová, Julie Bruštik, Richard Hubička, Vojtěch Krejčí, Štěpán Lucký, Vojtěch Poláček, Ondřej Tuček, Sára Paštinská, Andrea Černá), and the Post Most project (Roman Folk, Samuel Hollý, Tereza Kahounová, Lukáš Liska, Dominik Nosko, Ella Zavoralová).

Work in the Landscape Architecture category was evaluated by a jury consisting of Barbora Hrmová, Yvette Vašourková, and Michal Fišer. Six projects were nominated, and the winners were Martina Gruntová, Andrea Hanzalová, Tereza Hečková, Petra Hejná, Kristýna Minářová, Julie Pašková, Anna Raimanová, and Anna Vítková from the Salzmann–Bečvářová studio with the project Přimda: Landscape Concept. According to the jury, this is an extraordinarily complex work that connects the analytical part, conceptual design, and long-term landscape strategy while representing a synthesis of the work of the entire studio. The project stands out for its scope and layered structure, and it was created thanks to the close cooperation of all eight members of the author team. Despite the complexity of the topic, the jury found the result to be presented in a clear and cohesive manner.

Work in the Design category was assessed by a jury consisting of Sára Kordovská, Adrian Lesechko, and Matěj Coufal. Six projects reached the final nomination, with the main prize going to Veronika Podhorová’s Garden Heater. The jury was primarily impressed by the thoughtful concept and thorough analysis of manufacturing processes and functional requirements. Within the studio assignment "Heating Technology," Veronika Podhorová presented a redesign of a garden heater that stands out for its level of visual execution and the depth of its technical analysis. According to the jury, the design offers an original solution with the potential to significantly differentiate itself on the market. A special award went to the project Bodysuit Preventing Clients from Reaching into Diapers and Spreading Their Contents (Eliška Grečmalová, Eliška Potočníková, Kateřina Jelínková).

The Lead Dušan competition is held thanks to the long-term support of partners, including the Faculty of Architecture CTU, CASUA, studio Perspektiv, the Association of Architects, and Cegra (Archicad). Prizes for nominees and winners were also provided by IPR Prague, VOALA, DECHEM, MOD, Artmap, Coverover, Repro Fetterle, Winternitz Villa, ERA21, and Fusakle. More information is available on the competition website olovenydusan.cz.