The city of Prague is set to upgrade its public transport system with the redesign of the interior of the Českomoravská metro station. Designers Maxim Velčovský and Vítězslav Danda were selected as winners of the public tender launched by the Prague Public Transit Co. (DPP) in the autumn of 2022. Their design features glass panels with a particular raster replacing the original ceramic tiles, providing a modern and innovative touch to the station while continuing Prague’s metro artistic tradition.

The competition attracted 43 applicants, including architects and designers, with nine finalists selected to submit their designs. The DPP plans to award a public contract to reconstruct the Českomoravská station based on the competition results later this year. The task was to create a graphic and artistic design for the station’s interior, focusing on the creation of glass cladding on the walls behind the tracks and in the entrance vestibule, and selecting the colors of enameled tiles on the platform and in the escalator tunnel.

Using glass combined with enamel has several advantages, such as easy maintenance and its use in several stations on the B line, such as Karlovo náměstí or Náměstí Republiky. The original ceramic cladding proved unsatisfactory during the station’s operation due to changes in dimensions when in contact with water from leaks, causing the support system to cease functioning. Some parts of the original cladding cannot be replaced without damage.

Velčovský and Danda’s winning design features a glass raster that captures the main aspects of the metro station, such as noise, people, and movement. Their innovative and unique design captures air bubbles frozen in time, creating a 3D effect on the glass panel that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

The new design of the Českomoravská station aims to provide a comfortable and modern environment for passengers, with practical features such as easy maintenance and unique artistic design. The new design continues Prague’s metro artistic tradition while serving passengers’ functional needs. The station is set to become a modern and popular destination for both Prague residents and visitors alike.

The redesign of the Českomoravská station is part of the city’s larger efforts to upgrade its public transport system to meet the needs of its growing population and tourist industry. The innovative use of glass panels in the station’s redesign shows the city’s commitment to both functionality and aesthetics, creating a modern and comfortable experience for commuters and visitors alike.

Article by Prague Forum