How can former municipal baths be transformed into a modern library and community centre? And how can the extensive brownfield site around Prostějov's local railway station be revitalised? Architecture students from the Faculty of Civil Engineering at Brno University of Technology (FCE BUT) have developed proposals for the future use of real sites across Prostějov.

For the second consecutive year, students of the bachelor's degree programme in Architecture of Building Structures at FCE BUT have contributed to the revitalisation of public buildings and spaces in Prostějov. As part of their studio projects, they develop architectural proposals for real locations based on briefs from an actual client. Their work has resulted not only in architectural studies but also in physical models and presentation boards.

Students presented their proposals to the public through exhibition openings and displays, receiving valuable feedback from both investors and local residents. In return, the city gained dozens of original ideas that could inspire its future development. The most successful proposals also received financial awards.

A Partnership Connecting Education with Practice

The collaboration between the Institute of Architecture at FCE BUT and the City of Prostějov was initiated by two faculty graduates, Ilona Dočkalová and Václav Lužný, who now work for the city administration. The students' first assignment was to convert the former municipal baths into a library and community centre. The project's success paved the way for further assignments, and this spring, students completed their fifth set of revitalisation proposals for Prostějov.

“The partnership with the city benefits both sides. Students work on real projects and gain valuable practical experience. At the same time, the projects also generate outcomes that contribute to our research activities,” says Viktor Svojanovský from the Institute of Architecture at FCE BUT.

The initial project was followed by proposals to convert the former library into an art school, create a sports and recreation area around Aquapark GALA, and revitalise the Prostějov local railway station site, including the design of a new multi-storey car park.

A Real Client, Real Experience

Each proposal is usually preceded by several weeks of detailed site analysis. Students visit the location and examine its transport infrastructure, green spaces, public services and the needs of local residents. They present their work during interim design reviews attended by both lecturers and city representatives.

“Students present their work to a real client, who evaluates their proposals and provides feedback. Sometimes the client even changes their requirements during the design process. This is an incredibly valuable learning experience, as students will regularly encounter such situations in their professional careers,” explains Petr Novák from the Institute of Architecture at FCE BUT.

As part of its cooperation with the city, the Institute of Architecture also offers diploma thesis topics focused on identifying neglected sites, vacant plots and brownfield areas in Prostějov with potential for redevelopment.

The Future of Prostějov Through the Eyes of a New Generation

While professional architects typically prepare one or two design alternatives, students bring a wide range of different perspectives on how the same location could be transformed. The city considers this diversity of ideas one of the partnership's greatest strengths.

“Working with the students has been an incredibly positive experience. The variety of their proposals allows us to consider the future use of these locations with an open mind,” says Ilona Dočkalová from the Department of Development and Investment at Prostějov City Hall. “My colleague and I are also delighted to have the opportunity to support the faculty that helped shape our professional careers,” she adds.

She also sees the collaboration as an investment in the future. “We see ourselves as helping to prepare students for their future careers. In my view, investing in students is one of the most valuable things we can do,” Dočkalová concludes.

Selected student projects were also presented in July at the final international conference of the DARING CITIES project, part of the URBACT IV programme, held in Olomouc.

Award-Winning Student Projects

The City of Prostějov recognised the best student projects with financial awards. Awards were presented not only to proposals that best fulfilled the assignment but also to projects offering unexpected and original solutions.

Revitalisation of the Area Around Aquapark GALA

Marie Ševelová, Nikola Balážiová and Viktorie Bílková received awards for their proposals for a sports and recreation zone around Aquapark GALA.

Revitalisation of the Prostějov Local Railway Station Site

Awards for proposals to revitalise the Prostějov local railway station and its surroundings went to Vojtěch Zabořil, Karolína Hanáčková, Martina Lagová, Tomáš Vrána, Petra Schindlerová (2nd place in this year's Arnošt Wiesner Prize competition), Kateřina Kolářová, Alexandra Bušová, Filip Kolník, Zdeňka Palánová and Anna Růžičková.

A New Design for the Municipal Library

Vojtěch Trmač (1st place in this year's Arnošt Wiesner Prize competition), Diana Holdenberh, Vojtěch Diehel, Lukáš Krejčí and Vojtěch Vacek received awards for their proposals for the new library.

Conversion of the Former Municipal Baths

Awards for proposals to transform the former municipal baths into a library and community centre went to Tereza Palíšková, Ondřej Tálský, Zuzana Pekárková, Lenka Martiňáková, Žaneta Pawlicová and Filip Rajman (1st and 2nd places in this year's Arnošt Wiesner Prize competition).

The award-winning projects can be viewed through the links below, organised by location.

An Experience No Textbook Can Replace

According to the lecturers, what students appreciate most about the collaboration is the opportunity to work on real assignments with a tangible impact rather than purely theoretical exercises. This feedback confirms one of the Faculty of Civil Engineering's key objectives: connecting future professionals with real-world construction and architectural practice.

“Students' work does not end when they submit their studio projects. It has a real impact beyond the classroom. They can present their ideas to the public, defend them before experts and discuss them with the very people directly affected by their proposals. This is invaluable experience that they will carry into their professional lives,” concludes Petr Novák.