A new international idea competition is announced by reSITE Festival, ARCHIP (Architectural Institute in Prague) and Skanska, to find new ideas for the River Vltava, in Prague, Czech Republic. Skanska Bridging Prague Design Competition is a challenge for interdisciplinary collaboration on new conceptions to connect the river with the historical capital city.

Competitors are asked to develop a new Vision Plan for this section of the riverfront that creates a unified experience linking cultural, recreational, ecological, historical and economic opportunities. Thorough inventory and analysis of the river will reveal issues relative to access from the historical center to the river, cultural adjacency, transportation (over land and water), economics and development, poor transport planning and pedestrian connection.

“We want a visionary proposal from a diverse group of competitors for the future of the river. The jurors will look for a multi-disciplinary approach that integrates landscape architecture, urbanism, architecture,

art, urban ecology and other fields. This is how the modern urban project should be” says Martin Barry, Fulbright Scholar and Director of reSITE Festival. Regina Loukotová, the Rector of ARCHIP adds: “The competition, both for students and professionals, can contribute significant benefits to the City of Prague – specific conceptions and strategies. A simple and clearly described idea might clarify even a complex and complicated problem. An external view might help us to see the relationship between the city and the river in a different perspective.”

The scope of the competition is the Vltava riverbank and its immediate context from Libensky Most (Bridge) to the north to Zeleznicni most (Railway Bridge) to the south. This section of the river has really various character and quality on both riverbanks, which gives competitors a chance to select and work on a wide scope of places and areas. The proposals should use existing potential of the Vltava river, define its connection with the city – and lead to creation of attractive public spaces of adequate scale, living by variety of activities.

Prize Money

1st €3000

2nd €2000

3rd €1000

Prizemoney will be donated by the main sponsor, Skanska company.

The international competition in anonymous and open to all interested parties, regardless of age or profession. An entry can be submitted by an individual, a company, or a team. The projects will be judged in two rounds, the winners will be chosen by an international jury, composed of renowned professionals like Kate Orff, Alexandros Washburn, Jakub Cigler, Adam Gebrian, Igor Kovačević or Jan Skalický.

Competition regulations and complete brief plus material are available at competition website. Registration is free of charge.

Entries in English language are to be sent only in digital form – the deadline is Monday, May14, 2012.