Palace of the Poor

On the embankment of the Vltava River, along the northern edge of Prague’s Old Town, stands the Palace of the Poor. Its inhabitants are students and recent graduates—people balancing on the edge of financial stability, yet essential to the city’s future. Over time, they disperse into public offices, medical practices, workplaces, or academia. The project addresses the lack of affordable housing in Prague, which most strongly affects young people. Rising housing prices and rents, outpacing wages, force reliance on rental housing and lower quality of life. The proposed building on the Na Františku site combines student housing, start-up housing, and a sports hall, creating a publicly accessible courtyard.