Study

A

THE 3 BODY PROBLEM | ŽIŽKOV 50°05’14.5”N 14°26’35.6”E

WS 2025

The intersection of Husitská and Trocnovská is a significant urban point in the city of Prague. It is one of the main vehicular connections between east and west and the intersection of three Prague districts: Žižkov, Karlin and Nové Město. Moreover, it will be directly connected to the new Florenc 21 masterplan. Presently, this intersection is morphologically fragmented and urbanistically undefined. To the east, there is a building corner gap which integrates one of the main paths to the upper Vitkov monument. To the south, there is the Ponec dance theatre which is both volumetrically and aesthetically non-eventful (except perhaps for its main portal façade). Moreover, the interior block is further unresolved at its topographical edge between a high pedestrian path and the lower courtyard. To the west, there is a triangular site next to the railway bridge which is part of the new Florenc 21 master plan. It is designated as a public square but not yet architecturally resolved.

The semester task will be to urbanistically and architecturally reinforce and re-define this intersection. Because of its spatial diversity (3 different plots), we can imagine that the task could be resolved in 3 different ways as well: 1. it can be solved individually whereby the student schematically resolves the urban design, then picks one of the sites and architecturally develops one building typology fulfilling the subjects of ATBS, ATO, ATSBP, ATSS, ATVZ, DP; 2. it can be solved as a team project of two people whereby the urban concept will be more detailed and the architectural part will resolve two or more plots/buildings fulfilling such subjects as ATSS or ATUR; 3. it can solved individually whereby one student complexly solves solely the urban master plan design fulfilling the ATUR subject. As the title suggests, the task offers different spatial and typological possibilities:

BOD(Y) 1: THE GATEHOUSE (ATBS, ATO, ATSBP, ATVZ, DS/DP)

This is the eastern urban corner gap which integrates the path to Vitkov and the military museum. It is the main corner plot of the configuration and its form will require careful compositional attention with the existing Military Museum and Vitkov monument. Possible typologies include residential (apartments, collective housing), civic (community center, library, sports center) or even commercial (office building).

BOD(Y) 2A: THE FUN PALACE (ATO, ATSBP, ATSS, ATVZ, DS/DP)

This is the southern edge and it involves the analysis and intervention of the existing Ponec dance theater. Any intervention should volumetrically reinforce the street edge. One possibility can be a top addition to the existing theater with symbiotic functions such as additional stage, cafe, actor’s apartments or completely conflicting functions like a church. Another possibility can be the demolition of the existing theater and the design of a new theater with a connection to the existing Krenova cultural center which can bring a new architectural identity to the place.

BOD(Y) 2B: THE SNAKE (ATBS, ATO, ATSBP, ATSS, ATVZ, DS/DP)

This is the interior southern edge between the high pedestrian walkway and the lower street block and it’s an additional part of the composition. It is a curvilinear strip which connects Husitská and Seifertová streets. We can imagine this curve to be confined to the interior block and composed by a singular form and typology (housing, co-working offices, kindergarten) or expanded and fragmented into more forms as a multi-functional project integrating housing, cultural and commercial. This decision will be related to the volumetric/form strategy.

BOD(Y) 3: THE FORUM (ATO, ATSS, ATVZ, ATUR, DS/DP)

This is the northwest space which is included in the Florenc 21 masterplan. It is designated as a public square with auxiliary volumes/functions and it will be connected to the new Florenc21 quarter under the train bridge. These urban functions should be maintained and the task will be to urbanistically and architecturally design the space as a multifunctional and vibrant place complementing the other 2 urban sites and the new Florenc development.