As part of its pro bono activities, HAVEL & PARTNERS organized an architectural workshop for the Vlček Family Foundation, in which an expert jury selected the winning design for the reconstruction of the Cibulka estate in Prague. The Foundation plans to build a children’s hospice with a palliative centre there. The winning architectural studio, Petr Hájek Architekti, will design the new look of this historic complex in Prague’s Košíře district.
The expert team of HAVEL & PARTNERS, which specialises in architectural competitions, headed by managing associate Kamila Kulhánková, was responsible for the complete organization and administration of the architectural competition workshop, which brought together a total of 48 designs. The eight-member jury, consisting of representatives of the Vlček Family Foundation and experts in architecture, health and social care, selected five finalists, from which the winning design by Petr Hájek Architekti was subsequently selected by the jury.
“We selected the result because it best combines two main priorities: the best possible future use of the site for seriously ill children and their loved ones and the preservation of the entire existing part of the estate with the utmost respect for history,” said architect František Brychta of the Vlček Family Foundation, the head of the Cibulka project, about the winning design.
Second place went to the design by OV Architekti and third place to the design by Atelier KAVA. The other two finalists – the designs by the architectural studios ORA KUTNÁ HORA and A1 Architects in collaboration with AED project – were also evaluated as exceptionally good by the jury. Discussions with the architectural studios on the specific terms of cooperation will now follow. The investor will approach the winning team of architects first.
“We are delighted that we were able to participate as legal advisors in this project, which will not only save an amazing historical complex, but above all will serve an exceptionally meaningful purpose in its new phase, which is children’s palliative care,” said partner Adéla Havlová, who is in charge of CSR and pro bono activities at HAVEL & PARTNERS.
As part of the reconstruction, the Vlček Family Foundation plans not only to repair the historic buildings of the Cibulka estate, but also to expand the existing estate to include a hospice section. “The demands are placed on it as a state-of-the-art medical facility of the 21st century, and at the same time we want the children and their loved ones to feel at home there and have nature literally at their fingertips right from their room,” said Ivana Plechatá, director of the Vlček Family Foundation.
After the reconstruction, the buildings will also house the offices of the Vlček Family Foundation and the Zlatá rybka organization, which has been fulfilling the dreams of seriously ill children for seven years. There will also be rooms for parents, therapy rooms, a bistro and a hall that will also be used for the training of experts caring for seriously ill children and their loved ones. The entire renovated Cibulka estate, including the children’s inpatient hospice, is scheduled to open in autumn 2026.
