The Stanislav Hanzl Prize was awarded to Mario Barra

Mario Barra graduated with a Master's in Architecture and Urbanism, module in Monument Conservation, from the Faculty of Architecture and Planning, Czech Technical University. During his master's studies, he worked as a conservationist at the National Heritage Institute. Since September 2024, he has been a student of PhD studies with a focus on the History of Architecture and Monument Conservation under the supervision of Tomáš Efler.

 "Mario has been actively involved in the research and teaching activities of the Institute of Historic Preservation since the beginning of his master's and doctoral studies. He has an extraordinary passion for the field of monument conservation and an intense commitment, with which he has been consistently preparing himself throughout his studies for the role of a monument conservationist - a specialist in the care of immovable monuments and protected areas," reads the justification for the award proposal.

The topic of the dissertation, entitled "The Role of Heritage Conservation in the Industrial Landscape of the Coal Basins of Northwest Bohemia", focuses on a hitherto neglected chapter of the history of the settlement of the North Bohemian brown coal basins. The aim is to shed light on the role of heritage conservation in forming the original settlement, of which only isolated remains can be found today, especially during the period of intensive expansion of opencast mining. This mining led to the disappearance of dozens of settlements that contained valuable monuments such as churches, chapels, noble and manorial residences and farmyards.

Only a small number of these monuments have been preserved through detailed photographic or audiovisual documentation or, in better cases, by moving them to museums or neighbouring towns and villages, which have been spared destruction thanks to mining limits.

"The nomination for the Stanislav Hanzel Prize is a real honour and motivation for my studies and professional life. The award is a big thank you to all those who have provided me with support and background during my study years so far - my family, friends, but also my supervisors at the FA - Professor Václav Girsa, Associate Professor Milena Hauserová and Associate Professor Tomáš Efler. I am also grateful to the management of my alma mater for nominating me for this award," says Mario Barra.

This year, the award was also given to Milan Macho (FSv), František Stloukal (FS), Jakub Vaněk (FEL), Veronika Hendrychová (FJFI), Jan Bartoníček (FD), Martina Holá (FBMI), Richard Plný (FIT) and Natalie Klímová (MÚVS).

The award was established by the board of the CTU Stanislav Hanzel Foundation to fulfil and further deepen the legacy of the university's first post-war rector. It is awarded annually to male and female students of CTU on the proposal of individual faculties. The prerequisites are excellent grades and participation in the Student Grant Competition or other significant activity. Awarded students receive a financial reward.