Czech Architecture Awards: A Showcase of Innovation from the Czech Chamber of Architects

Visit wonderful places where Architecture heals, connects, soothes, and entertains—like the House for Julia, a Children’s Hospice in Brno, and the beautiful landscape at South Moravian Vohančic. You are invited to explore these and many other locations through the Czech Architecture Award, a national showcase for architecture, urban design, and landscaping. The goal is clear: to demonstrate to everyone that good architecture isn’t only found in big cities or iconic structures. It can also be a family house, a small community center, a park, or even a chapel by a dirt road; all places that might simply improve how the landscape responds during rainy weather. All entries evaluated are buildings completed in the last five years within the Czech Republic.

Finalists and the Sole Winner

In contrast to many other contests, the Czech Architecture Prize doesn’t categorize its entries. There is no award for “best house,” “best interior,” or “best public building.” Instead, all submissions compete at the same level, with the jury presenting one grand prize, plus titles of Finalist and other various awards from ministries and partners. Recently, there’s been the Alena Šrámková Award, recognizing the important contributions of women architects. There’s no entry fee, and any architect can participate.
The submissions are reviewed by a five-member international jury of architects who work both across Europe and beyond. They regularly visit the Czech Republic for an intense several-day “architectural marathon,” during which they examine the nominated projects, engage with the creators, compare diverse methodologies, and observe aspects that photographs might not capture. This includes how a building interacts with the surrounding city or landscape, how people navigate within its spaces, and how it ages over time. As a result, they provide an external perspective that is free from local biases and yet detailed and factual.

Celebrating Ten Years of the Czech Architecture Prize

The year 2025 marks a special milestone for the Czech Architecture Prize as it celebrates its tenth anniversary. “If measured by human age, it’s still just a primary school student,” humorously pointed out Chairman of the Czech Chamber of Architects Jan Kasl. He also mentioned earnestly that throughout its life, the competition has significantly raised awareness of numerous impressive buildings and their creators, builders, and investors.
With each passing year, the prestige of the award and the public’s interest in it have both grown. It’s become clear that architecture is not merely “something for experts,” but rather a subject that impacts our lives daily. In its early years, the focus was mostly on family homes and prominent public buildings. Over time, it has shifted towards sustainability, landscape care, water management, social and healthcare architecture, as well as the restoration of historical structures. Today’s standout projects are less about being “icons” visible from afar, and more about subtly enhancing daily life..

Czech Architecture Prize 2025: The Year Architecture Heals

This mission was clearly accomplished by the winner of the Czech Architecture Awards 2025, the House for Julia, a children’s hospice located in Brno, which is the first of its kind in the Czech Republic. This facility was designed by Tomáš Págo, Milan Joja, and Karel Kubza from studio ČTYŘSTĚN architekti, alongside landscape architect Mark Holán. It serves as a home where children facing terminal illnesses can spend time with their families and receive respite care, therapy, and rehabilitation. It also provides a supportive environment where their loved ones can find rest, reassurance, and comfort.
The House for Julia achieved three awards: the main prize from the international jury, the President of the Senate of the Czech Republic Miloš Vystrčil’s Award, and The People’s Choice Award, determined by public voting online.

Finalists for the 2025 Awards: Industry, Park, House, Villa, and Station Warehouse

The finalists of the 2025 awards showcase the diversity of modern Czech architecture, spanning from production facilities to city parks, family homes, and community centers. The jury was impressed by the renovation and expansion of the ERA production building in Pardubice, where architects Jiří Bíza and Tomáš Novotný have transformed a former 1990s structure into the headquarters for a technology firm.
Beside the House for Julia, the revitalized Park on Moravské náměstí, known as the “Brno Sea,” also stands out. Landscape architects Martin Sládek and Janica Šipulová from Consequence forma architects turned it into an inviting urban gathering space featuring a water surface perfect for summer paddling and winter skating, along with spacious seating, a café, an amphitheater, and abundant greenery. This park is an excellent spot for a weekend stroll around the city, exemplifying how thoughtful design can transform an entire area.
In a completely different context, there’s the family house in Polanka nad Odrou designed by studio Bydloarchitekti as well as the Villa Sidonius overlooking the Berounka valley. This striking structure features a bold steel frame supported by two reinforced concrete pillars that span a steep slope, providing generous views of the Bohemian Karst and the distant city of Prague. Its strict technical design harmoniously merges with lightness and elegance, allowing it to fit gracefully into the neighborhood despite its unique shape.
Another notable project is the Community Centre Warehouse_13 located in Řevnice, which left the jury impressed. Here, Šárka Sodomková from Sodomka*Sodomková Architects has transformed a dilapidated wooden warehouse from the 19th century into a vibrant cultural center. Combining the restored wooden structure with modern shipping containers and an open design facing the city creates a welcoming and atmospheric space for concerts, theatrical performances, and community gatherings. This cultural center also proudly received the Alena Šrámková Award, which was awarded for the first time in 2025.

Other Awarded Projects

The jury acknowledged various other projects as well. One honorable mention went to the landscape near Vohančice close to Brno, where architects Jana Janíková and Denisa Hrubanová are transforming a large area of fields into a landscape that retains water, prevents erosion, and creates an enjoyable walking environment. A fantastic spot for a hike if you’re curious to see what modern landscape design can achieve in action.
The Chapel of the Virgin Mary Na Pískách near Čečelice received an award for its thoughtful design in a rural context. Families can also find an interesting destination in the Forest nursery Parukářka located in Prague, which was honored with the Prize for Daylight Work. The architects from Terra Florida and Jasná studios have crafted a space where children spend most of their time outdoors, interacting with nature, while the nursery’s design promotes natural ventilation, sunlight, and a healthy atmosphere. Even in the surrounding Parukářka Park, it’s clear how well the nursery is integrated into its green environment.
For those interested in industrial and technical landmarks, noteworthy projects include the renovation of historic water tanks on Yellow Hill in Brno and the U Pergamenky residence in Prague-Holešovice, where an old warehouse complex has been revived into a city block. Both of these buildings are worth exploring closely to see how they blend old features with new functionalities.

2021-2024: A Map of Adventures Across the Country

If you examine a map showcasing all the award-winning works, you’ll view a vibrant representation of contemporary Czechia that contrasts sharply with typical tourist guides. In southern Moravia, you can discover wine cellars, observation towers, and small landscape projects. Meanwhile, the northern regions feature industrial zones and their renovations. In border communities, look for new schools, community centers, and cultural houses that rejuvenate life in smaller towns. Scattered throughout, you’ll find footbridges, bridges, bathhouses, libraries, and family homes that demonstrate that excellent architecture can exist at every scale.

Czech Architecture Award 2024

The top achievement of the year 2024 was awarded to the Atrium Concert Hall in the Imperial Spa located in Karlovy Vary. This structure was designed by Petr Hájek, Nikoleta Slováková, and Martin Stoss from studio Petr Hájek ARCHITECTS. Other notable mentions include the Technology Centre of UMPRUM and the Sports Hall in Řevnice.

Czech Architecture Award 2023

The main award for that year was given to Lukáš Ehl and Tomáš Koumar from Ehl & Koumar Architects, along with Ladislav Dvořák and Ladislav Šašek, for their design work on the footbridge in Litomyšl. The jury also highlighted the restoration of the historic former slaughterhouse for the Plato Ostrava Gallery and the Mašín Farm – Memorial of the Three Resistances found in Lošany.

Czech Architecture Award 2022

The main award from the seventh iteration of the Czech Architecture Awards went to Jiří and Barbora Weinzettl of Atelier 111 architekti for their project House on Kozina. Other awards were given to the restoration of The Palace of Electric Companies in Prague and the Patrol on the Watch in Rokytnice nad Jizerou by Mjölk architects.

Czech Architecture Prize 2021

The top prize went to Miroslav Pospíšil and Martin Karlik from atelier-r offices for the renovation project of Helfštýn Castle. Other finalists included the Faculty of Humanities of Charles University</strong, showcasing the renovation of the canteen at 17th November College by Kuba & Pilař architects, and the revitalization of Kostnicky Square in Prague’s Žižkov neighborhood.

Architecture Tours

From a practical standpoint, the Czech Architecture Awards can turn into an exciting road trip idea for the entire year. You can select a region—like South Bohemia, Vysočina, Ostrava, or Central Bohemia—and look up the buildings you’d like to view in the archive. Some may only be accessible from the outside, while others, including parks, landscape projects, cultural centers, specific galleries or spas, might be fully open to the public.
It’s a good idea to pair your visit to a building with another enjoyable activity: in Brno, after exploring the water reservoirs on Yellow Hill, you might wander through the historic center; in smaller towns, consider checking out a local café recommended by residents. Architecture thus becomes not just a destination but also a reason to explore spots you might not usually visit.
Whether you decide to follow only the current edition or gradually learn about older winners and finalists, the Czech Architecture Award provides a unique opportunity to learn about the Czech Republic in a new light. This experience is not only through castles, chateaus, and lookout towers but also via houses, parks, and modern landscaping that have emerged recently—and this architecture is already influencing the way people live within the Czech Republic.