The capital city has called an international architectural and landscaping competition for a new design of the open-air spaces of the Prague Market. The “Prague Market Open Space” competition will have two rounds, with the first round taking place in October. Five designs shortlisted by an international jury will proceed to the second round. The competition is organized by CCEA MOBA, the winner is expected to be announced next spring. The bidders will propose the design and functions of all outdoor areas, new entrances to the premises, greenery, and rainwater utilization.

The international jury will be presided over by architect and urban designer Gabu Heindl from Vienna-based Gabu Heindl Architektur studio that focuses on urban design and planning. She also lectures at universities in Sheffield and London. Other members will include French landscaping architect Régis Guignard and Irakli Eristavi from zerozero studio in Prešov, Slovakia, who is the author of Kultur Park in the town of Košice. Czech architects will be represented by Štěpánka Šmídová from Landscape Architects, the author of a lookout in Letná Park in Prague and a park in Ostrava-Poruba housing estate. Architects and urban designers Marek Obtulovič from ODDO Architects and Hanoj Studio, Jiří Žid from re:architekti, and Jiří Kotal from U/U Studio, will also sit on the jury. Finally, the jury will include political representatives of the city from both the ruling coalition and opposition parties. However, independent experts prevail as a rule in such urban design competitions.

The bidders will have to take into account that the venue was declared a historic monument in 1993 and enjoys protection. The winning studio will work closely with experts who have been involved in the long-term development as well as day-to-day operations of the venue on behalf of the city. The winning design will also have to be friendly towards all age groups.

The complete documentation for the competition is available at the Prague Market’s website, the contracting authority’s website, and the organizer’s website.