RaumScape
The winning design responds to the complex and listed urban heritage as well as to the competition framework, blending the Raumplan principles formulated by Adolf Loos with landscape. The result is an urban design that appears both fluid and integrated with a variety of spatial experiences.
The client's vision is based on the unique Raumplan concept introduced by the Prague native, Adolf Loos. Loos introduced a new way of working with space, that goes beyond the traditional concept of floors and rooms to seek less formal spatial flows.
Pairing the principles of a fluid experience with a landscape-based approach, our RaumScape design is organized as a five-layered ground-scape:
1. A continuous and fully accessible urban surface prioritizing pedestrians and everyday mobility
2. A mosaic-inspired paving that builds on Prague’s rich tradition of public space craftsmanship
3. An urban canopy of trees that provides shade, climate mitigation, and seasonal variation
4. An open city stage for daily life and cultural events
5. A low, circular pavilion that activates the square’s edge and supports public life.
Firmly anchored in the UNESCO-listed zone, the design is formulated as a continuous urban surface prioritizing pedestrians and local mobility. The proposal transforms the square into a multi-facetted experience where movement, heritage, and culture are woven into a whole.
The new layout merges the plaza with the important green axis to create a better experience of the Letna Park on the opposite bank of the river. The design thus strengthens both mental and physical connections and add to the character of the listed area, Prague 1.
The proposal preserves and reinterprets Prague's paving patterns, integrating the surrounding city into the square. Light-toned surfaces improve comfort by reducing heat, while a central water feature introduces reflection, play, and cooling across seasons.
Urban nature plays a key role with a characteristic tree canopy framing the square while maintaining both openness and flexibility. Additional planting and seating support rest, play, and informal gathering, enhancing biodiversity and sensory experience.
At the heart of the square, an open and flexible stage pays tribute to filmmaker Miloš Forman, embracing both everyday use and larger cultural events such as markets, performances, and open-air activities. Public art is an integrated layer, contributing to a shared identity between the square and its surroundings.
Emerging seamlessly from the ground as part of the public surface itself, the pavilion functions as a café, gallery, and local meeting place as well as connects to the existing underground parking facilities.
Type: Competition 1st prize
Program: Public space / Transformation
Client: WIC Prague a.s., Capital City of Prague and Municipality of Prague 1
Size: 3.200 m²
Location: Prague CZ
Year: 2026
Collaborators: -
Image credits: Vivid Vision
