A New Green Plaza at the End of Parizska: Danish Studio Wins Design Competition

If you have walked down the luxurious Parizska street towards the river recently, you couldn't miss the massive reconstruction of the former InterContinental Hotel. We have been following the Fairmont Golden Prague opening closely, as the building has been under wraps for what feels like ages.

But it is not just the hotel that is changing. The concrete expanse around it – officially known as Namesti Milose Formana – is about to get a complete overhaul.

The international architectural competition "RaumScape" has just announced its winner, and we are quite excited about the result. The jury selected the Danish studio ADEPT, and their vision looks like exactly what this overheated concrete corner of Prague needs.

From Concrete Jungle to Green Canopy

The winning design is all about cooling down the city and connecting it back to the river. Currently, the area is a bit of a harsh, open space that doesn't really invite you to sit down. The Danish architects plan to change that by creating a "tree canopy".

They plan to plant a mix of linden, plane, and honey locust trees. The idea is to create a natural roof that provides shade in the summer but keeps the space open and airy.

What we love most about the proposal is the water feature. In the summer, it will offer a refreshing mist or a shallow pool to cool off (perfect for kids and tired tourists). In the winter, the plan suggests it could transform into an ice skating rink. If that happens, it would be arguably the most scenic skating spot in the city center.

Reconnecting with the River

One of the biggest issues with the current layout is that it feels cut off from the Vltava embankment. You can see the river, but you don't feel connected to it.

ADEPT’s design focuses on removing barriers. The new square is designed to be fully barrier-free, creating a smooth transition from the busy streets of the Jewish Quarter right down to the riverbank. They are prioritizing pedestrians over cars, aiming to minimize traffic in this specific "piazza" area to let public life flourish.

Who is Paying for It?

Here is an interesting detail: this entire transformation is being funded by the private investor renovating the hotel. Neither the City of Prague nor the municipal district is paying for the reconstruction of this public space.

It serves as a "stage for the city" – a flexible space that can host markets, cultural events, or just serve as a quiet spot to eat an ice cream.

Conclusion

Prague often struggles with modernizing its public spaces while respecting its history. However, this Danish proposal seems to strike the right balance. It respects the brutalist architecture of the hotel and the historic surroundings but brings in the modern necessity of greenery and livability. We can't wait to see (and sit in) the final result once the hotel and the square fully reopen.