Studio MA + Neutelings Riedijk Architects

It was an honour for us to take part in the competition in collaboration with the renowned Dutch practice Neutelings Riedijk Architects — one of Europe’s most respected architectural offices, known for their distinctive work with urban scale, identity, and expressive volumetry.
The partnership created a dialogue between two architectural cultures, experiences, and design traditions, resulting in a confident, robust, and internationally legible proposal for a new neighbourhood in Žižkov.

A New District for Žižkov: A Contemporary Interpretation of the Classical Urban Block

The urban block is one of the most enduring planning principles in European history.
From ancient Miletus through Cerdà’s Eixample in Barcelona to Berlage’s Plan Zuid in Amsterdam, the same themes reappear across centuries: the contrast between lively streets and calm green courtyards, the significance of corner articulation, and the permeability of the block through gates and passages.

Our proposal for two new blocks in Žižkov builds on this tradition and reinterprets it for the present day. The emerging district offers high-quality and accessible housing while responding sensitively to its context — the former freight station to the north, cemetery greenery to the south, and the looser contemporary development to the west. It reinforces the evolving identity of this part of the city.

A Strong and Legible Urban Composition

The site is defined by long visual axes and continuous street frontages.
The architectural concept responds with a clear and expressive volumetric structure:

Urban block — 8 floors + recessed level
A compact form with chamfered corners opens up space for public life and defines the character of the streets.

Two vertical accents — 12 floors + recessed level
Tower-like volumes at the corners serve as urban landmarks and give rhythm to the skyline.

Transitional massing — 6 floors + recessed level
A lower middle section softens the silhouette, introduces a more intimate scale, and mediates between the two dominant volumes.

This composition is recognisable from all sides, allows the block to be subdivided into distinct “addresses,” and supports diverse typological solutions.

A Block That Connects and Activates the City

The ambition was not merely to design housing, but to create a living piece of the city.
The blocks act as natural connectors thanks to:

• gates and passages that open the block during the day and allow pedestrians to move through it as part of daily routines,

• visual corridors linking the former railway station, the tram stop, cemetery greenery, and the central courtyard,

• active ground-floor spaces, such as cafés, community rooms, or small neighbourhood services, which strengthen safety and social interaction.

The result is a district with its own identity, reinforcing the broader transformation of Žižkov.

Efficient, Accessible and High-Quality Housing

The architectural and urban concept is based on a rational modular system that ensures both quality and affordability:

• standardised flat typologies within a fixed module increase efficiency of construction,

• modular façade structuring enables prefabrication and accelerates the building process,

• a clear structural logic allows different architectural expressions for entrances, passages, and individual buildings without increasing cost.

The outcome is a sustainable, functional and pleasant living environment for a wide range of residents.

Sustainability and Climate Resilience

The proposal is designed with climate adaptation and long-term urban sustainability in mind:

• green roofs reduce heat load, support biodiversity and improve rainwater management,

• deep soil in the courtyard enables natural infiltration, retains water, and maintains a healthy microclimate,

• solar panel integration lowers operational energy demand.

Together, these features contribute to a cooler, more resilient urban environment free of heat-island effects.

A Contrast Between Urban Exterior and Green Interior

The character of the project is defined by materiality, colour, and scale:

• The exterior is robust, urban, and rational — unified in material expression yet varied in colour, scale, and orientation to distinguish individual buildings.

• The interior of the block is calm and verdant, with generous balconies, soft materials, and a large communal garden that fosters neighbourly interaction.

• Green pockets between the blocks create transitional outdoor spaces for rest, play, and community life.

This deliberate contrast makes the block both a strong urban figure and an intimate, liveable home.

A New Identity for Žižkov

The two residential blocks represent a contemporary reinterpretation of the traditional Prague perimeter block with an enclosed courtyard.
Their distinctive massing, openness, shared spaces, and sustainable design contribute to a city that is:

• liveable,

• inclusive,

• resilient to climate challenges.

A confident, modern addition to Žižkov emerges — a district with a clear architectural identity that supports community life and strengthens the long-term character of this part of Prague.