heatherwick studio unveils regeneration project at the heart of historic prague

heatherwick studio, led by thomas heatherwick, has unveiled designs for the regeneration of a 15,000 square meter site at the heart of historic prague. comprising retail and office space set within public gardens, the mixed-use ‘savarin’ project is the london-based firm’s first in the czech republic. ‘me and my team are honored to be working on such an important site in prague’s historic center — and our design ideas have been inspired by the details, materials and craftsmanship that we found all around the city,’ explains thomas heatherwick.

image and video © heatherwick studio

heatherwick studio’s design unites a number of heritage buildings by creating connections through the site and with the surrounding district. ‘at its heart is the creation of a major new public space, surrounding a historic 18th century riding hall,’ thomas heatherwick continues. ‘as well as restoring this hall and the other historic buildings, we will create three dynamic new buildings which will frame this courtyard and its riding hall. stepped green terraces and staircases will enable people to walk up the buildings all the way to the rooftops, revealing unexpected new public spaces and views across the city.’

image © heatherwick studio and wyrd tree

‘savarin has a very special place in our hearts and we feel the huge responsibility that comes with this project,’ says omar koleilat, CEO of crestyl, the project’s developer. ‘we value heatherwick studio for approaching each project individually, considering the genius loci of the place and offering solutions that breathe life into it. that is also why we admire the studio’s sensitive way to revitalize projects such as coal drops yard and zeitz MOCAA.’

image © heatherwick studio and pixelflakes

interior walk-through | video © heatherwick studio

site location | image © heatherwick studio

project info:

name: savarin
location: prague, czech republic
design: heatherwick studio
developer: crestyl

this latest work from heatherwick studio was recently unveiled during the global architecture and urbanism forum, reSITE, in prague on september 19th 2019. as part of his keynote speech, which was hosted by designboom’s own editor in chief birgit lohmann, heatherwick presented the images and visualizations of the mixed-use savarin project and delved into the studio’s design process.

returning for its 8th edition, reSITE is an annual conference that brings together leading architects, urbanists and business leaders to discuss key issues within the built environment. under the theme of ‘REGENERATE’, 2019’s event focused on sustainability, climate change and the future of our cities.