Location: Kadaň, Czech Republik
Client: The City of Kadaň

BigMat International Architecture Award 2015

Projektil Architekti was the general designer of the revitalization of the entire riverbank in Kadaň and also the author of the section below Kadaň Castle. Before the revitalization, the riverbank was neglected, impassable, after the demolition in the 1970s. The revitalization thus rediscovers the banks of the Ohře River for the town of Kadaň. It creates a series of intimate public spaces with different atmospheres and uses. All these piers, squares, and parks are connected by a path for pedestrians and cyclists, which is also part of a regional cycle path along the Ohře River. Thanks to the possibility of canoeing and boat rental, pedestrians, cyclists, and water sports enthusiasts meet below the castle.

In the narrowest part of the river bank directly below the castle, there was already a historic wall that survived the demolition. This was preserved and formed the basis of the entire design. Downstream, it was supplemented and connected to another embankment wall above the weir. Upstream, it was bridged by a new structure and became the side wall of the new spaces called "Zajícův převis" (Zajíc's Overhang, inspired by famous czech cartoon). These spaces not only provide access to the river, but also contain public toilets, a summer refreshment stand and a boat rental. The pedestrian promenade connects the entire river bank. Below the castle, it widens into a small square with stairs and an entrance down to "Zajícův převis". It then continues downstream to the newly built pier and on to the weir. Between this footpath and Říční Street is a cultivated meadow where open-air concerts are held. The parking lot below the walls is purposefully divided into several segments and graded with different surface treatments (stone, gravel) so that cars are not conspicuous in the area. The rocky slope below the city walls, now grazed by goats, is awaiting renovation, including the possibility of expanding the development in part of its historic areas prior to demolition.

Project: 2004 – 2012
Implementation – Part II: 2012 - 2014
Implementation – Part III: 2010 - 2012 

Author: Roman Brychta, Adam Halíř, Ondřej Hofmeister, Petr Lešek
Co-author: Rudolf Wiszczor
Co-operating architect: Bohdana Linhartová, Marek Sankot
The idea of the embankment renovation author: Vít Branda

Fotography: Andrea Thiel Lhotáková