Prague's HolKa Footbridge named 2023 Czech Construction of the Year

The Štvanická Footbridge in Prague, nicknamed HolKa for the connection it provides between the city's Holešovice and Karlín districts, has been named among the winners of the Czech Republic's 2023 Construction of the Year awards. It's the latest recognition for the structure after opening to much acclaim this summer.

The 31st annual Construction of the Year awards were handed out during a gala ceremony at Prague's Rudolfinum on Friday evening. The new family care pavilion at Pelhřimov Hospital and Kapka resort in Vsetín were also named among this year's winners, selected by an expert architectural jury from a pool of 38 nominations.

Providing a much-needed connection between two Prague neighborhoods separated by the Vltava River, the Štvanická Footbridge was recognized by the jury for its structural resilience, surpassing standard industry expectations.

The family care pavilion in Pelhřimov earned acclaim for its dynamic facade, which responds to sunlight. Meanwhile, the Kapka sports hall in Vsetín stood out for its multifunctional design and adaptability. Additionally, the contemporary art center Epo1 in Trutnov captured the jury's admiration for its incorporation of the project's industrial origins.

The Construction of the Year awards, now in its 31st year, also featured noteworthy mentions for projects such as the Oáza apartment complex in Liberec, the new medical center of the Faculty of Medicine at Charles University in Plzeň, and a new footbridge in Litomyšl, all of which received accolades in the form of crystal bottles.

This year's awards also featured a public competition, with over 118,000 individuals casting their votes for their favorite constructions of the year. The Mýtka apartment complex in Stará Boleslav secured the top spot among new Czech buildings, while the Saint Louis Airport in Senegal received the public's acclaim for foreign constructions.

During the awards ceremony, special recognitions were presented by the Ministry for Regional Development, for the construction of a new university campus in Ostrava, and and the Ministry of Industry and Trade, for the Křimická urban district in Karlovy Vary and the Kloboucká lesní administrative building in Zlín. Architect Josef Pleskot and designer Vladimír Janata were also presented special awards.

The 2023 Construction of the Year jury, comprised of esteemed industry professionals, personally visited all 110 registered buildings across the Czech Republic eligible for the awards, covering a total of 6,531 kilometers in 15 days.