Completion of the urban block Na Knížecí

The project involves the completion of a block in the Na Knížecí area of Smíchov, in an environment significantly shaped by transport infrastructure and the ongoing transformation of the area towards new residential and commercial projects. The design aims to create high-quality modern housing that builds on the historical block structure of the site, but with a contemporary architectural expression that meets today's needs and technical possibilities. The basic principle is simplicity and a clearly legible order. A key issue is working with the limited depth of the inner courtyard, which is further complicated by the gables of the side wings of the original buildings and the preserved house on Stroupežnického Street. This situation becomes the starting point for exploring the possibilities of intensive urban development in challenging conditions. The design opts for maximum use of the valuable land in the city center and close proximity to the metro for residential purposes, while also aiming to unify the inner courtyard and remove the disruptive utilitarian gables of the original buildings, which would contrast sharply with the modern new building and negatively affect the character of the inner courtyard. The inner courtyard serves retail and is designed as a system of smaller interconnected courtyards, which create a more intimate environment and enhance the quality of stay. The interior space is also passable and offers diagonal pedestrian shortcuts away from the traffic-exposed corners. The extension is designed as a single residential complex, consisting of separate apartment buildings with their own stairwells, which promotes intimacy and clarity of operation and limits the creation of long corridors. In terms of scale, it follows the character of the original apartment buildings and combines the whole into a clear, rational structure. The architectural expression acknowledges the new building, working with larger glazed areas and using light-colored prefabricated concrete cladding with a plastic structure. This creates continuity between the historic stucco facades, the houses from the 1930s, and the current development in the wider area. The facade is composed in a regular rhythm with an emphasis on proportion and depth.