The Josef Hlávka Prize for Šimon Knettig
22/11/2023
Šimon Knettig graduated with a Bachelor's degree in architecture from FA CTU. He continued his master's studies at TU Delft, where he was involved as a student coordinator in the research think-tank The Why Factory, led by urban planner Winy Maas.
In 2022, he returned to the FA as an assistant in the studio of a visiting professor. The main theme of the Maas Studio in the academic year 2022/23 was the search for alternative visions for the development of cities and the planet. Specific ideas were presented by the students during the Biotopia presentation and exhibition in January 2023. They attempted to answer the questions of what the great cities of the future, whose infrastructure has been replaced by biological components, could look like, all in harmony with modern design, flora and fauna.
In the summer semester, the studio focused on the Czech Republic and the student team from FA CTU joined forces with architecture students from four other schools in the Czech Republic and the Netherlands (ARCHIP, TU Delft, TU Liberec and VUT Brno). Together they formulated their ideas about the future of the Czech Republic into the CZ2: Vision for the Czech Republic project and presented them through a large-scale model of the Czech Republic, maps, analyses, interviews with experts and a film documenting the whole process. The exhibition became an invitation to create a stable discussion platform between the state, experts and the wider public with an emphasis on democracy, transparency, independence and accessibility for all.
The Josef Hlávka Prize is intended for talented students in bachelor's, master's or doctoral studies who have demonstrated exceptional ability and creative thinking in their field of study, up to the age of 33. The proposal for the award is sent to the Josef Hlávka Foundation Board of Directors by the rectors of Czech universities, with no more than one candidate from each faculty according to the approved rules.
In addition to Šimon Knettig, eight other students from CTU were awarded: Barbora Hálková (FSv), Jan Šmaus (FS), Šimon Mandlík (FEL), Ondřej Kubů (FJFI), André Maia Pereira (FD), Leoš Tejkl (FBMI), David Bernhauer (FIT) and Adam Jirout (MÚVS).