Prostřední Bečva, situated in three valleys, is a village with 1,700 inhabitants and an excellent recreational area. A lively valley cycle route runs through the centre. During the 16th and 17th centuries, herdsmen colonisation led to the scattered development of the village. 

The new village square creates a well-defined, recognisable and characteristic centre of a Wallachian village within the existing non-compact structure. The solid surface, paved with local sandstone, is complemented by an alley of trees defining the street. Between the road and the river there is a soft parkland setting with small iconic buildings of the chapel and vine arbour. The Bečva River, the open embankment and the covered terrace of the buffet with a stage behind the river are newly incorporated into the organism of the square. 

It all started with a request for assistance with the facade design of the House of Services during the thermal insulation of the building. Naturally, we became interested in the unsightly surroundings and had a discussion with the mayor about the upcoming revitalisation project of the center. We developed a conceptual urban design study of the wider centre. As a result, the initially envisioned revitalization project was replaced with a new solution, reinventing the centre and defining the public realm. A gravitational point that supports important and representative functions was created. 

An integral part of the project is the relocation of the library from inadequate space directly to the village square. Connecting the library to the municipal café supports the colourful events on the village square. Although this is a small and inexpensive intervention in the interior of the House of Services building, we see this move as a further injection towards the revitalisation of the village centre. 

Materials of local character were used for landscaping the public spaces, forming an architectural expression. Stone from the Beskydy Mountains, wood, shingles from Wallachian cottages, trees from the surrounding pastures, meadow flowers in bloom, and gurgling water. 

Aesthetic, functional and economic values are in balance. The positive response from the public and local government naturally ensures further architecturally quality development in the wider village area. 

The municipality uses the revitalised centre as its outdoor cultural space for traditional events throughout the year (fair, Easter, weddings, fairs, summer cinema, Christmas tree lighting, etc.). The public is therefore the main animator of the village centre. 

Studio: henkai architekti (www.henkai.cz) 

Author: Daniel Baroš, Michal Nejezchleb, Lucie Bartoňová 

Project year: 2013 

Completion year: 2016 

Project location: Prostřední Bečva 

Client: Municipality of Prostřední Bečva 

Photographer: henkai architekti, Daniel Baroš