Studio Krátký – Marques

Contextually, the space under Nuselsky bridge is undoubtedly one of the most unique in Prague. Its overwhelming scale, its massive tectonics, its expressive linearity all combine to its spatial distinctiveness. Programatically, besides being the main north-south traffic artery running through Prague, the bridge also has another rather unfortunate specificity: the high number of suicides - approximately 300 suicides - since its opening in 1973. Despite of its specificity, the current central space under the bridge is generic parking lot anchored by an equally generic gasoline station.

The semester task is thereby to regenerate and activate this urban space by using these contextual and programmatic specificities to generate organizational, programmatic and volumetric strategies. The site is approximately 140m long x30m wide with vertical parameters ranging from +/-15m and -6m. In other words, it will be possible to both extrude and excavate the site. Regarding the program, students can propose a reciprocal activity related to the specificities of the bridge such as a memorial park for the suicide victims, a gallery for the history of the bridge and its surrounding context or a multi-functional park sprinkled with spiritual and leisure typologies like a chapel, wellness center, etc. Proposals could be indifferent to the bridge such as a market hall, a community/sports center, library. Moreover, it could also be something more conceptual like John Hejduk “Victims” project in Berlin. Regarding the new forms, they should be created in compositional harmony with the bridge in order to react and reinforce its geometrical, linear characteristics. In other words, the new volumes should not diminish the geometrical and spatial strengths of the bridge. Ultimately, the conceptual strategy should find a reciprocal relationship between context, program and form and, kore importantly, to transform a truly unique area into a vibrant public space.