Concept

The subject of the proposal is the urbanistic-architectural revitalization of Vítězné náměstí in Prague-Dejvice and the adjacent area of the CTU student campus. The main objective of the proposal is to transform the area into a lively, safe and attractive urban space that will naturally support social, academic and community life while respecting the historical and urban context of the place.

The fundamental starting point of the design was the desire to build on the original urban design concept of Antonín Engel, in particular by supporting his ‘trident’ design, both functionally and visually. The design preserves and further develops the logic of Engel's spatial articulation, thus strengthening the identity of Dejvice as a specific urban district with an academic character.

The area is designed on the basis of clear zoning according to function and character. This creates a recreational and resting zone in the form of a bio-corridor and Fleming Square, designed for relaxation and everyday encounters. The second distinctive area is the space in the 4th quadrant of Victory Square, which becomes the centre of civic and social life. These two parts are connected by pedestrian routes - urban axes that support the natural movement of people in the area and create a logical communication structure.

The proposal also includes the addition of new functional units to the campus - administrative buildings, new student dormitories, laboratories and a faculty of information technology, which is still missing. An essential element to increase the permeability and safety of the area are the proposed pedestrian bridges across Vítězné náměstí, which improve pedestrian connectivity across the site.

The overall design concept works with the principle of contrast - combining organic elements of the public space with the orthogonal structure of the new development. This contrast reflects the character of the site, where academic order, creativity and vibrant urban life meet. The design aims to create a contemporary, inclusive and inspiring space that will be a natural part of the urban fabric and will serve students, residents and visitors in the long term.

Urban design

The urban design is based on respect for Engel's original regulatory plan and builds on its basic principles, especially the composition system of the so-called trident. This system is fully restored and developed into a contemporary form in the design, thus acquiring new meanings not only spatially but also functionally. The area is divided into three main functionally defined zones, which complement each other and are linked by a clear system of pedestrian urban axes.

1. Social zone
Located in the fourth quadrant of Vítězné náměstí, it represents the main centre of civic and cultural life in the area. This zone is conceived as a lively public space with the possibility of cultural events, markets, workshops and student activities. It also contains public and commercial functions that support daily urban traffic. The architecture and the ground floor of this area are designed with an emphasis on openness, multifunctionality and residential quality of the environment.

2. Recreation Zone
Consisting primarily of Fleming Square and the adjacent bio-corridor, it creates a green, tranquil space that offers natural character and space for relaxation, informal gatherings and community life. The bio-corridor also acts as an ecologically valuable axis within the wider urban environment. The entire recreation zone is designed in a landscape manner, with an emphasis on biodiversity, soft landforms and water features.

3. Communication zone
The network of urban axes, which form the backbone of the whole area, plays a fundamental role in the design. These axes are based on Engel's trident and link the recreational and social zones, while connecting the area to the surrounding urban structure. They are designed as wide pedestrian boulevards with regular tree lines, furniture and natural stopping points. The circulation zone not only ensures efficient and clear movement across the whole area, but also functions as a space for social interaction, shared activity and visual orientation.

Traffic in the area is fundamentally modified in favour of pedestrians and cyclists. The campus and its surroundings are designed as a completely non-motorised environment, with the exception of traffic. Public transport stops (trams and buses) have been moved to the edges of the area, thus eliminating transit traffic and increasing safety and comfort. In order to better connect the sites and overcome the barrier of Vítězné náměstí, new footbridges have been designed, which naturally connect to the main pedestrian routes and increase the accessibility of the area.

The overall urban concept creates a clear, open and lively structure that responds to the historical context and contemporary needs - and gives the area a new identity based on quality public space, tranquillity, safety and natural movement.

Architecture design

The architectural design of the proposal naturally complements and develops the existing structure of the CTU campus. The newly designed buildings are conceived with regard to the functional needs of the university, the current urban context and the spatial quality of the area. The aim was to create an architecture that respects the historical framework of Dejvice, while at the same time bringing contemporary expression and a distinct identity appropriate to the dynamics of the university environment.

1. Completion of the 4th quadrant of Vítězné náměstí
The completion of the fourth quadrant is a key part of the revitalization and completion of the CTU campus, which respects the scale and character of the surrounding buildings and at the same time creates a new, welcoming and functional part of the public space.

The ground floor of the building is designed at two height levels that respond naturally to the terrain and provide a seamless connection to the adjacent public areas.
- The lower level is directly connected to the entrance to the metro station, which is a key element of the overall design. This space offers amenity forecourts, relaxing green areas and a water feature that positively influences the microclimate and enhances the comfort of the residence.
- The upper level serves as an active pedestrian corridor with a higher movement of people, equipped with seating stairs and a ramp that provides wheelchair access for all users.

The proposed facilities include office buildings with amenities and student residences that are situated to meet both the functional needs of the campus and contribute to the vibrancy and attractiveness of the public realm.

Pedestrian bridges are also an important part of the design, linking different parts of the site at one level. These footbridges allow convenient and barrier-free movement across the campus without having to overcome height differences, contributing to better orientation and comfort for users.

The material solution is conceived as a set of several solitary buildings connected by overhead necks. This concept not only preserves and reinforces existing pedestrian circulation axes, but also allows for permeability and natural entrances to the campus from different directions. The development creates a clear campus boundary while offering an open and welcoming public space.

The overall design thus creates an environment that combines the formal order of the college with the openness and dynamism of student life. The strong connection to the metro entrance is one of the key elements that ensure easy accessibility and seamless connection between the campus and the city.

2. Faculty of Information Technology and Laboratories
The aim of this design was to create an environment that not only supports innovation and scientific research, but also provides a quality and pleasant environment for everyday academic life. During the design process, we were sensitive to the architectural and urban context of the area and sought to ensure that the new buildings would fit naturally into the campus fabric, while bringing a new spatial and meaningful dimension to the further development of the CTU campus.

The area is divided into two parts, separated by a significant urban axis between the existing Faculty of Electrical Engineering and the CTU Rector's Office.
- The western part contains the new laboratories,
- the eastern part contains the new building of the Faculty of Information Technology.
Between these buildings, a public space is being created that serves as a quiet zone and meeting place - an open area designed with an emphasis on residential quality and connecting campus users.

The laboratories are designed as a low, subtle mass that respects the scale of the surroundings and does not disrupt the existing urban fabric, while providing a highly functional research and technology facility for the faculty.

On the other hand, the Faculty of Information Technology was conceived as a dominant feature of the area - both functionally and architecturally. The building has an L-shaped base from which three distinctive towers rise, forming a strong spatial and visual motif. The towers not only define the character of this part of the campus, but also respond freely to the ridge rhythm of the existing buildings of the Faculty of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering.

This deliberate contrast between the unobtrusive, low-rise laboratory and the vertically accented faculty creates a dynamic balance and contributes to the strong architectural and urban expression of the entire site.

Technical solution and sustainability of the project
The buildings in the design are conceived as a skeleton structural system, which ensures flexibility of internal layout, efficient statics and long-term sustainability. This approach allows for easy adaptation of the spaces to changing operational requirements within the university and administrative environment.

From an operational perspective, emphasis is placed on a high quality thermal envelope that minimises energy loss and contributes to overall operational efficiency. The orientation of the buildings in relation to the cardinal directions is designed to maximise daylight harvesting and reduce interior overheating, while allowing passive control of thermal comfort.

The buildings use intelligent control systems (smart building technologies) that enable:
- automated control of lighting, shading and ventilation according to actual operation,
- real-time monitoring of energy and water consumption,
- adaptive control of heating and cooling,
- and provision of remote management and optimisation of operations.

Extensive green roofs are designed on selected buildings to help retain rainwater, cool the microclimate and promote biodiversity in the urban environment.

The material solution works with a combination of modern, durable and aesthetically impressive elements such as:
- Steel, reinforced concrete, glass and copilite for load-bearing structures and transparent surfaces,
- Corten sheet and perforated facade panels for the expression layer of facades and shading systems.

Pedestrian footbridges
Pedestrian footbridges are a key connecting element of the area and allow for safe and comfortable movement across the campus without the need to cross traffic infrastructure.
- Most footbridges are monolithic reinforced concrete,
- One footbridge has a steel frame structure with a timber bridge deck, which promotes the pleasant nature of pedestrian movement and proximity to the natural environment.

All footbridges are designed with safety and durability in mind:
- have anti-slip treatment of the walking surfaces,
- integrated drainage to ensure continuous drainage of rainwater,
- and handrails that meet current standards for public buildings and wheelchair access.

The technical design solution thus combines quality architecture, ecological principles and technological maturity to create a sustainable and inspiring space for contemporary academic, working and social life.