Mohammad Reza Asgari

advisor

International Imam Khomeini University

Islamic Republic of Iran

My favorite approach to architecture is rooted in crafting spaces that go beyond functionality,… more

The revitalization project for the historic steam railway terminal area in Rokytnice nad Jizerou presents a thoughtful dialogue between memory, context, and contemporary use. While the design claims that the massing follows the natural topography, in reality, it appears to be more strongly aligned with the railway's longitudinal axis. This gesture recalls the character and spirit of traditional train stations, where architecture celebrated the movement and linearity of rail travel. Rather than merging seamlessly with the landscape, the project deliberately asserts itself as a constructed memory — a powerful, nostalgic reference to the site's industrial past. This alignment ultimately becomes a strength, offering a clear and respectful continuation of the site's historical narrative.

The mixed-use program—connecting the railway, river, cycling path, and former engine house—is one of the project's greatest achievements. By integrating a museum, a restaurant, and a climbing facility within a compact and interconnected complex, the design successfully revives a previously dormant area. The introduction of diverse activities imbues the site with new energy, inviting a wide range of users and creating an accessible public space that is at once educational, recreational, and social. Particularly noteworthy is the positioning of the glass-walled restaurant overlooking the Jizera River, a thoughtful move that balances the heavy industrial language of the museum with a sense of lightness and connection to nature.

The inclusion of a bouldering wall within the northern structures adds a bold, unexpected layer to the project. By referencing the local tradition of rock climbing, it roots the new interventions deeply within regional culture. However, while this feature is conceptually strong, its architectural expression feels somewhat understated. Given the potential of the climbing wall to serve as a visual and experiential landmark, greater emphasis in form, scale, or material articulation would have strengthened its presence and better celebrated this unique aspect of the program.

Materially, the use of perforated metal cladding and large glass facades is successful in evoking an industrial aesthetic, coherently tying the new interventions to the spirit of the original railway infrastructure. The frosted glass of the bouldering wall introduces a softer, diffused light, offering a subtle contrast to the harder surfaces of the museum and restaurant volumes.

In conclusion, this project skillfully balances respect for historical memory with forward-looking programmatic innovation. Its slight misalignment with the natural topography is not a flaw, but rather a conscious decision to privilege historical continuity over mimicry of the landscape. With a stronger architectural emphasis on the climbing component, the project could have fully realized its ambition to create a truly iconic destination within the stunning submontane setting of northern Bohemia.
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