The Masaryčka building, a landmark by Zaha Hadid Architects, has been inaugurated, restyling the urban landscape of “the City of a Hundred Spires”, Prague, Czech Republic.
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Located one kilometre east of the city centre’s Staroměstské Square, Masaryčka’s design establishes a visual dialogue with the embellished historical architecture of Prague’s Old Town, revitalising a decaying urban site. With its facades now completed, the Masaryčka building is defined by circulation routes which will provide access to new civic spaces for the city.
Accommodating the continued growth of the city’s corporate sector with office spaces designed to meet 21st Century working patterns, the 28,000 square metre Masaryčka office and retail development incorporates seven storeys within its eastern section and nine storeys at its western end.
Masaryčka’s design integrates with Czech Railways’ ongoing modernisation of the historic Masaryk Railway Station that is creating a new public square partially over its railway tracks, enhancing access to the platforms below and providing new pedestrian routes between Florenc and Hybernská on either side of the station. It combines sidewalks and piazzas with zones for relaxation and social use. All communications will be designed with the comfort of people with different levels of mobility in mind.
Bordered by Masaryk Station’s railway platforms to the south, Na Florenci street to the north, and the Wilsonova elevated freeway to the east, Masaryčka has been constructed on a derelict site that has stood abandoned for several decades. To the west, Masaryčka replaces the existing car park on Havlíčkova Boulevard with a new public square with interchanges between the city’s rail, tram and bus networks, defining a welcoming gateway to the city for suburban rail passengers as well as those using the express rail link that is currently under construction to Prague’s international airport.
An Eco-friendly, green heart
Masaryčka’s construction and procurement has prioritised local suppliers and materials with a high recycled content to meet the targets for embodied and operational carbon established by the RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge.
External fins within Masaryčka’s façade contribute to solar shading in the summer and transform the project’s horizontal composition to the verticality of its western façade facing the spires of the Old Town. Targeting LEED Platinum certification, Masaryčka incorporates a double-insulated façade that ensures optimal natural light at all work areas and communal spaces. A cascade of terraces divides the two buildings while similar terracing on the eastern façade gives every office floor direct access to generous outdoor spaces.
Planting using local species of shrubs and trees irrigated by Masaryčka’s rainwater collection system, including the transformation of Na Florenci into a tree-lined avenue, will provide cooling summer shade and natural air purification. Low-flow systems and grey-water recycling will further reduce the centre’s water consumption.
The elevated park above the railway station offers panoramic views across the city. Hybrid ventilation is supported by a high-efficiency plant with waste heat recovery systems while the building’s smart management systems continually monitor and adjust environmental controls to reduce energy consumption.
An adjacent hotel being built at the intersection of Hybernská Street and U Bulhara will supply the Masaryčka area with additional retail and accommodation capacity. The shopping arcade in the atrium of the hotel will be connected to the elevated roof with the park’s landscaping above the tracks providing a beautiful and relaxing public open space right next to the busy crossroads.
Transportation upgrade
Due for completion in 2026, Czech Railways’ renovation of Masaryk Railway Station adjacent to Masaryčka retains the existing historic terminus building and includes the construction of the new public square partially over the tracks giving access to individual platforms and a direct transfer to Prague’s metro line B. Transforming the station into a fully accessible, multi-modal transport hub for the city, its modernisation programme extends the current number of tracks from seven to nine and reconstructs all platforms, overhead line equipment and power supply.
In a city renowned for its enchanting architecture, Masaryčka is the perfect futuristic addition to Europe’s “Golden City”.
Photo Credits: @BoysPlayNice
